When rock meets classical music

A trip of her life

 

The story happened in New York. Max, a taxi driver, was doing his last trip that day. He arrived at the place exactly on time and beeped the horn. Nobody came out of the house. Max waited a couple of minutes and beeped again. He was never late himself and he didn’t like the clients who kept him waiting. He was thinking of driving home, but something made him park the car and check the door.

He came up to the front door and knocked. “Just a minute”, an old weak voice answered. After a long pause a small lady of about ninety opened the door. She was wearing an expensive but old-fashioned dress and a veiled hat. Indeed, she looked like a film star of the forties. She asked Max to help her with the heavy suitcase that was inside. He agreed without hesitation.

He came in and noticed that the room looked like people had never lived there. All the furniture was covered with cloth. There were no statuettes and tea sets on the shelves or an old clock on the wall. In the corner of the room he noticed a large box filled with old photos and books. “A deserted room”, he thought.

 

They moved slowly to the car and the lady kept thanking Max for his help and being so patient. He said it was his job to treat every passenger like he would treat his mother. “Oh, you are such a good boy!” she said. She took the back seat and named the address. Max understood that she was going to hospital.

 

She asked Max to drive through the city centre though it involved extra time. She did not mind the distance and the time. She said she was not in a hurry. She told Max her family had left long before and the doctor said that her chances were not good. Her eyes filled with tears.

 

Max switched off the counter and asked the lady which route she preferred. The next two hours they were driving through the city. She showed Max the building she had worked in and the dance hall she had visited as a little girl. They went to the district she had lived in with her husband after their marriage.

Finally she said she was tired and they drove in silence, directly to the hospital. It was a low building that looked more like a small holiday centre. Two nurses came up quickly to them as if they were waiting. They carefully helped her out of the taxi into the wheelchair. “How much do I owe you?” she said looking at Max. “Nothing”, he answered.

“You need to earn your living”, she added, opening her bag. “There are other passengers”, answered Max. He bent down and embraced the old lady. She hugged in return. “Thank you for the little happiness you gave me”, she whispered. On his way home Max did not switch on the radio. He drove in silence. He had an impression that it was the most important trip of his life.

 Max was late to pick up his client.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The old lady was a former actress from the forties.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The old lady had two pieces of luggage.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The old lady was grateful to Max for his help.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The lady chose the shortest way to the hospital.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Max drove the old lady to the places which were very special to her.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The hospital was in the countryside.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Max refused to take money for the trip from the old lady.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Doughnuts

Doughnuts, a delicious snack, need no special occasion to eat them; they are the side order to coffee, tea or milk and can easily make you popular around the office. They are consumed all over the world – the USA alone makes more than 10 billion doughnuts a year.

The origin of the doughnut is heavily debated. The idea of fried dough does not belong to one country or culture. The exact place, time and person responsible for creating the doughnut is also unknown. However, the two countries generally associated with this sweet snack are the United States and Holland.

Records show that the Dutch were making olykoeks, or ‘oil cakes’, as early as the mid-19th century. These early doughnuts were simply balls of cake fried in pork fat until golden brown. However, there was a problem with doughnuts. The centre of the doughnuts did not cook as fast as the outside and remained mostly uncooked. That was the reason why the cakes were stuffed with fruit, nuts, or other fillings that did not take long to cook.

The doughnuts got a hole inside only after their arrival in America. There is a very popular half-true story about a sea captain and his mother, which explains how it happened. As legend has it, Mrs. Gregory sent her son, Captain Hanson Gregory, on one of his sea voyages with several doughnuts and her recipe to make more. But Hanson didn't like nuts, so he took them out and ordered the ship's cook to prepare all doughnuts with holes in the centre.

 

We may never know if Captain Gregory really invented the first doughnut hole. However, we can be sure that this hole was a very positive change. Now it was much easier to get well-done and cooked-through doughnuts.

By the 1920s, doughnuts were being mass-produced in America. Their association with breakfast was only the beginning and the doughnut was very popular as a snack in theatres. To satisfy the growing need for doughnuts in one New York neighborhood, a Russian immigrant named Adolph Levitt created the first doughnut machine. In 1934 the doughnut was declared ‘the hit food of the Century Of Progress’. Levitt made twenty-five million dollars annually from the sale of his doughnut machines to bakeries.

The 1940s and 50s, saw the arrival of doughnut chains such as Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Dunkin' Donuts. They say it was the Dunkin Donuts chain that popularized the 'donut' spelling of the word ‘doughnut’ by making it part of its name! Today, most writers outside the USA still prefer ‘doughnut’. ‘Donut’ appears about a third of the time in published American writing. However, as ‘donut’ is a simpler spelling it will certainly become more commonly used.

The Americans are so fond of doughnuts that they celebrate National Doughnut Day. It is on the first Friday in June and honours the ‘Doughnut Girls’. These were the female volunteers who made doughnuts and served them to American soldiers fighting in France during World War I. The French women wanted to bring comfort and optimism into soldiers’ life by giving them a taste of the food they had back home.

The USA produces more doughnuts than all the other countries in the world.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The fillings in doughnuts were first added to make them well-cooked.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mrs. Gregory was the best doughnut cook in her town.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mrs. Gregory invented doughnuts with a hole in the centre.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

At the beginning of the 20th century, doughnuts became very popular in the United States.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The doughnut machine brought its inventor lots of money.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The spelling ‘donut’ is more popular in the US than anywhere else.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The ‘Doughnut Girls’ was the name for women who served in the army during World War I.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Beckham

David Beckham – is there a more famous and lovable celebrity? The footballer who played for such famous teams as Manchester United and Real Madrid is also a fashion model and a successful businessman.

David Beckham was born on May 2, 1975, in London, England. His father Ted Beckham was a kitchen fitter and his mother Sandra, a hair stylist. David Beckham was the family's only son. A middle child between two sisters, David grew up with parents and relatives who were great fans of Manchester United, England's legendary football club. From childhood, David was a promising footballer. At 11 he won the prestigious Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools National Skills Competition. David was noticed by Manchester United team officials, who asked him to try out for the club's youth league. By the age of 16, Beckham had to drop out of school. He left home to play for his favourite team. Two years later he became a full-time player for Manchester United and one of its leading figures.

From 1992 to 2003, playing for Manchester United, David Beckham scored 85 goals. Every time he had a game, he wore different football boots – it was a sort of ritual for good luck. In 2003,

David unexpectedly left his beloved team for Real Madrid. The reason was the growing conflict between David Beckham and Manchester's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Once Sir Alex Ferguson fined David for babysitting with his sick child, while his wife Victoria, a designer, was at a London Fashion Week Event. The fine was really large. The incident caused a serious personal tension between the two men and ended in Beckham moving to the other club.

In Real Madrid, David Beckham was not allowed to wear his favourite number seven, because the right to wear it was written into the contract of another player. Instead, David decided to wear a shirt with number 23, which was the number of his favourite basketball player Michael Jordan. Though David Beckham immediately became very popular with the Real Madrid fans and his shirt sales made a lot of money for the football club, the team didn’t win any serious tournaments. Perhaps, it was one of the reasons why in 2007 Beckham signed a five-year contract to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy and moved to America. However, his career in America was a rocky one – numerous injuries affected him. In May 2013, David Beckham announced his plans to retire.

It’s important to say that David Beckham has always been a devoted husband and a loving father. David and his wife Victoria have three sons and a daughter. They say the boys are being trained as ‘bodyguards’ for their little sister Harper. The youngest, Cruz, has been practicing Taekwondo, Brooklyn is interested in boxing, and the oldest, Romeo, does karate. They are preparing early so that when Harper is older, “they will all be ready to protect her from noisy fans,” David says.

David Beckham's parents were professional sportsmen.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Beckham promised his sisters he would become a great footballer.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Beckham started his career in the club his parents supported.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

When he was with Manchester United, David Beckham played all the games in the same lucky boots.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Beckham left Manchester United because he had problems with the team manager.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Beckham wore the same number in Manchester United and Real Madrid.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Beckham left Real Madrid for an American football club.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The Beckhams’ sons want to become professional sportsmen.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

A coffee town

 

Adjuntas is a small coffee town in the Valley of the Sleeping Giant high in the mountains of Puerto Rico. It is about two hours by car westward from the capital of the country, San Juan.

 

A deep love of the land and its customs fills Adjuntas. Local people say their families have lived in this town ‘since forever’. Time flows slowly and peacefully. The citizens do not like changes, they value a simple and steady life and observe traditions.

 

To save their traditional lifestyle, several years ago, the local people had to fight their own government in order to prevent a destructive business initiative. The thing is that the mountains surrounding Adjuntas are rich with gold, silver and zinc and the Puerto Rican government wanted to start mining for these mineral resources. It meant that large areas of green woods and lots of freshwater lakes would disappear.

 

People fought to keep their land untouched despite the promise of new jobs and high salaries. The citizens of the town preferred making money from their traditional business – growing coffee

and selling it all around Puerto Rico and even abroad. The government agreed to meet their demands and transformed the mining project into a national park, El Bosque del Pueblo. Opened in 1998, the park runs a special eco programme where the young and old people of Adjuntas plant trees and take care of them. ‘Learning to manage the forest has been a wonderful new experience for us,’ said Tinti Deya, a 67-year-old local resident. ‘It’s another world where we’re like children doing everything for the first time, we forget that we’re already grandmothers.’

 

Grandmothers are everywhere in Adjuntas and they’re all respectfully addressed as Dofia. Lala Echevarria, an 85-year-old great-great-grandmother, was born on the oldest street, where she still lives in a small, clean and tidy home. Dofia Lala grew up before there was electricity and running water, and remembers when the first car arrived in Adjuntas. ‘As a child, I used to spend all my time carrying water, looking for firewood, looking after the chickens and the cows,’ she said. ‘There were sixteen of us. We would wash our clothes in the river and we used to cook on an open fire. At meal times, we kids would sit on the floor to eat.’ Dofia Lala was working as a cleaning lady when she met and married the love of her life, Mariano, the mechanic. They had thirteen children and shared 44 years of happiness before he died in 1983. Such life stories are common in Adjuntas.

 

It’s easier to reach Adjuntas by car than by train.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The life in Adjuntas has always been intense and dynamic.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The people of Adjuntas supported the government’s project of mining for mineral resources.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The town of Adjuntas is a coffee producing area.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

El Bosque del Pueblo is the largest national park in Puerto Rico.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Dofia is a special name for granddaughters in Adjuntas.

          1)True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Lala Echevarria is the oldest person in Adjuntas.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Lala Echevarria is now a widow.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Fish and chips

Long before the Big Mac was invented, Britain had its own national form of fast food – fish and

chips (or fish’n’chips for short). Fish'n'chips was a relatively balanced and healthy meal that people could eat in the street on the way home from work, or during their lunch-break. Wrapped in newspaper, it would keep warm even on the coldest days of the year. Besides, serving fish'n'chips in newspaper helped to keep prices low.

 

No British town is more than 150 km from a sea port, and most are much closer. So when railways were built in the 19th century, fresh sea fish could easily be bought in all British towns. Cheaper than meat, sea fish became a popular source of protein. By 1870, fish and chip shops were opening all over the country and soon every town in Britain had its fish’n’chip shops. For a hundred years, they were a popular British style restaurant.

In the last quarter of the 20th century, things changed. "Fish and chips are not so popular with young people these days," says Lizzie, a teenager."Most of the time, if young people want to eat out, they'll go to a Burger King or a Chinese take-away. Fish 'n' chips is a bit old-fashioned. But there are still cheap chip shops around. We sometimes have it at home, and we go and get it from the chip shop. It saves cooking!"

 

Thousands of chip shops have closed in the last twenty-five years. Some have been turned into Chinese or Indian take-aways, others have just closed. They have survived best in seaside towns, where the fish is really fresh, and people visit them more as a tradition than for any other reason.

Yet nothing, perhaps, can save the classic fish'n'chip shop from disappearance. Fish'n'chips wrapped in newspaper is already just a memory. European hygiene rules don’t allow food to be wrapped in old newspapers, so today's chip shops use cardboard boxes. Of course, you can still eat fish and chips with your fingers if you want, but there are now plastic throw-away forks for people who do not want to get greasy fingers!

In spite of these changes, the classic fish'n'chip shop could disappear in a few years' time for another reason – lack of fish. For over ten years European agriculture ministers have been trying

to solve the fish problem but with little success. As a result of industrial fishing, some types of fish are disappearing. Overfishing in the North Sea has reached crisis levels. Limits on the number of fish that can be caught have been introduced, but fishermen in Britain and other countries protest against them because jobs are lost. At some point, thousands of European fishermen could lose their jobs anyway, as there will be few fish left to catch. Soon sea fish will become rarer and, as a result, more expensive.

The traditional fish’n’chips shops will certainly continue to reduce in number. Most probably cheap fish’n’chip shops will be gone completely. Fish and chips, however, will survive as a high-priced specialty in expensive restaurants. In the years to come, they may become the only place where you can try this traditional English dish.

 

 Fish’n’chips were sold earlier than Big Macs.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Traditionally only fish with white meat were used to make fish’n’chips.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

In the 19th century, in Britain, fish was more expensive than meat.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

According to Lizzie, today’s young people prefer burgers to fish’n’chips.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The number of fish’n’chips shops in Britain is rising steadily.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

New packaging has made fish’n’chips more popular.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

European governments encourage fishermen to catch more fish.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

In the near future fewer people will be able to afford fish’n’chips.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Miller Hemingway is seen as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. He was born in 1899 into a doctor’s family, in the state of Illinois, USA. Young Ernest spent most of his summer holidays in Michigan, a north central state. It was there that the future writer learned to hunt, fish, and appreciate the outdoors. Later, some of his short stories were set in Michigan. Because of this, Ernest Hemingway is often, mistakenly, thought to be a native of Michigan.

In high school, Hemingway worked on his school newspaper, writing primarily about sports. Immediately after graduation, the young journalist went to work for the Kansas City Star, gaining experience that would later influence his prose style.

In 1918, Hemingway went overseas to serve in World War I as an ambulance driver in the Italian Army. For his service, he was awarded the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery. Later, he would describe his military experience in his famous novel A Farewell to Arms. After a serious wound, at the age of 20, Hemingway returned to the United States.

The beginning of his literary triumph was a book of stories that were based on his childhood memories. His objective manner and laconic, ironic style were highly praised by critics.

 

Hemingway’s traditional photo is that of a bearded man, dressed in a sweater with the famous pipe in his mouth. This man seems to be calm and steady. In fact, he was the greatest adventurer ever known. He adored travelling, hunting and fishing. His life was full of danger that he always overcame with courage.

 

When the United States entered World War II in 1941, Hemingway served as a correspondent and witnessed some of the war's key moments, which he wrote about in his articles. For his actions in the war, Hemingway was given a Bronze Star for bravery.

In 1951, Hemingway wrote The Old Man and the Sea, which would become perhaps his most famous book, finally winning him the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. The plot was based on Hemingway's personal fishing experience. Once he watched how a hundred kilo shark was caught and decided to record the event on paper. The story became so popular with Cuban fishermen that some of them even pretended to be the ‘old men’ from the book.

Shortly after the publication of The Old Man and the Sea, in 1952, Hemingway went on safari to Africa, where he was almost killed in two plane crashes that left him in pain for much of the rest of his life. In 1954, Ernest Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Ernest Hemingway died in 1961. He published seven novels, six short story collections and two non-fiction works. Three novels, four collections of short stories and three non-fiction works were published after his death. Many of these are considered classics of American literature.

 

Ernest Hemingway comes from Michigan.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

At school Ernest Hemingway went in for several sports.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Ernest Hemingway served as a military correspondent during World War I.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The book of stories about his childhood brought Ernest Hemingway fame as a writer.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Ernest Hemingway was against hunting and fishing from his childhood.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

During World War II, Ernest Hemingway received an award for courage.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Ernest Hemingway had close friends among Cuban fishermen.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

All Hemingway’s works were published during his lifetime.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Thanksgiving dinner

The sisters lived in a little house with apple trees. After their parents’ death, Aunt Susanna looked after them. Their income was enough to keep them going but they couldn’t afford too much. Their aunt was a conservative woman who believed that the most important thing for any girl was to be a good housekeeper. Her nieces meanwhile had other interests. Laura and Agnes liked painting, Kate played the violin, and Maggie was keen on Latin and dreamt of further education.

 

The girls were good at housework as well, but definitely preferred their hobbies to their housekeeping chores. So, every time Aunt Susanna came to their house, they hid the paints, the musical instrument, and the books and started sewing or reading a thick cookery book. Aunt Susanna, in turn, never missed a chance to make a sarcastic remark about the dust on the violin or paint on Laura’s nose. She made it quite obvious that she would prefer her nieces to do something useful about the house instead of their silly hobbies.

 

One day, Aunt Susanna read a newspaper article that promoted the idea of higher education for women. The article impressed her and even made her consider the opportunity of college education for Maggie. During one of her visits to the girls, she announced she could send Maggie to college.

 

Then she mentioned that she had to leave the town for a while and she would not be home until Thanksgiving. The problem was that she expected some guests for Thanksgiving dinner. She asked the girls for help and the sisters enthusiastically agreed to help her cook dinner for the guests.

 

With a determined look Aunt Susanna gave them all the instructions. She had made a list of dishes and told the girls to stick to it. She left the girls the key to the kitchen door in her house where they would find the turkey and ready-made meat pies. The girls had to warm up the pies and cook the turkey by twelve sharp the day she arrived.

 

When aunt Susanna left, the girls sighed sadly. They had another plan for Thanksgiving day –

 they wanted to have their dinner at home. But they realized that if they upset their aunt, she could easily change her mind about the college for Margaret, and Maggie would never have a second chance.

 

It was Kate who saved the situation: “Let me and Agnes go to Aunt Susanna’s house and cook dinner there. Maggie and Laura stay here cooking dinner for us. This way we won’t miss our own Thanksgiving.”

 

So, in the morning on Thanksgiving Day Agnes and Kate got up early and headed to Aunt Susanna’s house to have enough time to cook.

 

They weighed the turkey to find out the cooking time, and put the pies in the oven in advance. When the dinner was done, they carefully set and decorated the dining-room table. Suddenly there was a loud cry from the yard. Tony, the neighbours’ little boy, had fallen into the well. The girls rushed to help him out and forgot to lock the door. When they were back, they found out that the dinner had been ruined by the neighbours’ dog.

 

‘What shall we do?” Agnes cried desperately. Unlike her sister, resourceful Kate never lost control. She decided to borrow the girls’ dinner from home. Agnes and Kate had to run all the way because they had only twenty minutes left before the aunt’s train arrived. They burst into the kitchen, where Maggie and Laura had just served the dinner, grabbed it and ran away.

 

Just as the train’s whistle blew, Thanksgiving dinner in Aunt Susanna’s house was arranged so that she would not notice any change. When she came in, the dinner was on the table. Aunt Susanna was satisfied that everything was cooked and served the way she wanted it to be.

Two days later, Maggie was sent to college.

 

 

Aunt Susanna disapproved of her nieces’ hobbies.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

The cookery book was a present from Aunt Susanna.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Right before Thanksgiving Day Margaret got a chance to go to college.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Aunt Susanna designed the menu for the Thanksgiving dinner herself.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

All the four sisters went to their aunt’s house to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The neighbours, Tony’s parents, helped the girls to tidy up the rooms.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The Thanksgiving dinner for Aunt Susanna got burnt in the oven.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Aunt Susanna was pleased with her nieces.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

J.K. Rowling

 

J.K. Rowling is one of the most popular writers today. She was born into the family of an engineer in 1965. Her childhood was happy, although she does remember getting teased in primary school because of her surname ‘Rowling’. She was often called ‘Rolling pin’ by her schoolmates. The writer says that she never really liked her own surname, she liked the surname of her friends Ian and Vikki Potter who lived nearby. Later she would give their surname to the hero of her popular books.

 

From an early age, Joanna Rowling had an ambition to become a writer. She often tried her hand at writing fantasy stories. Aged six, she wrote a book about a rabbit who got measles. After, she understood that her parents enjoyed her story, Joanna suggested with confidence ‘well, get it published then.’

 

After finishing school, her parents encouraged Joanna to study French. She slightly regretted choosing French, saying she would have preferred to focus on English and English literature. However, it was her parents’ wish that she should study something ‘more useful’ than just English. After graduating from university Joanna Rowling took various jobs in London.

 

It was in 1990, that she first got the idea for Harry Potter, a boy attending a school for wizards. As she recalls, it was on a long train journey from Manchester to London, when she began forming in her mind the characters for the book. On arriving at her flat, she started writing the book immediately, although, it would take her several years to finish it. In the meantime, she went to teach in Portugal, married a Portuguese journalist, had a daughter, Jessica, divorced her husband, and returned to Britain, to Edinburgh.

 

Eventually, she finished her first copy of The Philosopher’s Stone, but her agent spent over a year trying hard to get a publisher. It was rejected by 12 major publishing houses. But, finally, quite a small publisher, Bloomsbury, agreed to take the book on. The decision to take on the book was, in large part, due to the publisher’s daughters who read and liked the first chapter of the book.

 

When the first ‘Harry Potter’ novel was published, the publisher asked Joanna to use initials rather than her first name. The publisher was afraid that boys would be against a book written by a woman. Since Joanna had only one given name, she took ‘K.’ from her favorite grandmother, Kathleen.

 

Within a few weeks of publication, book sales started to take off. A number of other novels about Harry Potter followed. In 1998, Warner Bros secured the film rights for the books. The films have increased the success of the books, making Harry Potter into one of the most recognisable media products. Under the close guidance of J.K.Rowling, all the films were shot close to the original plot; also at J.K.Rowling’s request the filming took place in Britain.

 

The final book of the Harry Potter Series – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released in

2007. J.K.Rowling said that the book was her favorite and she would continue writing, but there was little chance of continuing the Harry Potter Series.

 

 

‘Potter’ was Joanna’s nickname in primary school.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Joanna’s first book about a rabbit was published in a magazine for kids.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Taking the French course at university was the choice of Joanna’s parents.

          1) True

          2)False

          3) Not stated

The decision to write a book about a young wizard came to Joanna in Portugal.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

It took Joanna a year to write the first book about Harry Potter.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Bloomsbury decided to publish The Philosopher’s Stone after a positive review from the publisher’s daughters.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

It was the publisher’s idea to put initials, not her first name, on the cover of Joanna’s book.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Joanna chose the leading actors for the Harry Potter films.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Hershey's chocolate

 

People from all over the world like the taste of chocolate. It’s the most popular dessert and snack. You may like dark or light chocolate, you may prefer it plain or with nuts, but whatever your tastes are, you will certainly enjoy the chocolate produced by the Hershey Company.

 

Hershey chocolate became famous all over the world thanks to a quiet but very hard-working and generous person – Milton Hershey, the founder of the company.

 

Milton Hershey grew up in Pennsylvania, USA. His mother wanted him to learn practical skills. She believed practice is more important than college education. So when Milton finished the fourth grade, she arranged for him to become a printer’s assistant. But Milton didn’t like the job and left it soon after. In a while he became an assistant in a candy factory. He helped to make candy and became very successful at it.

 

After a few years of training, Milton understood that he wanted to start his own business. He borrowed some money from his aunt and set up a small candy shop. For five long years Milton Hershey worked extremely hard but had no success. He invested in the business more money than he made from it. Finally, he closed the shop and found work with a candy maker again. It was there that he discovered caramel and how fresh milk could be used to make it.

 

In 1883 Milton Hershey got back to the idea of his own business. He bought the equipment and started the Lancaster Caramel Company. Success soon followed. Within a few years, Milton Hershey had a growing business and was selling his caramels all over the country. At that time he became focused on milk chocolate, which in those days was an expensive dessert imported from Switzerland. Milton Hershey was determined to find a new formula for the product that could allow him to manufacture milk chocolate in large amounts and sell it countrywide.

 

So, in 1900 Milton Hershey sold his caramel company for $1,000,000 dollars and started up a chocolate factory. In fact it was more than a factory. Milton Hershey built a whole town around the factory –

– with houses, schools, churches, and stores. He wanted the people who worked in his

factory to live nearby and feel comfortable. The factory was focused on producing the Nickel Bar, a relatively cheap chocolate bar that everyone could afford. Later, Hershey Kisses were added. These delicious, bite-sized pieces of chocolate were named after Milton Hershey himself.

 

As success and profits rose, Milton Hershey invested more money in the infrastructure of his town and added a sports arena, a stadium, and a school for orphaned children.

 

Milton Hershey died in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in 1945, one year after his retirement as chairman of the board. He was 88 years old. By the end of his life Hershey had donated most of his money to his town and the school for orphans. His chocolate factory remains the largest in the world. The town of Hershey is still home to about 12,000 people and draws more than 30 million visitors each year. They come to see the famous Hershey Park, which boasts a roller coaster, Ferris wheel and other rides. The factory tours draw more visitors annually than the White House. Guests can take a tour through a mock chocolate factory that includes a ride through a simulated roasting oven, and eating samples of Hershey chocolate.

 

 

The Hershey company was named after the man who had started it.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Milton Hershey tried some other jobs before he started making chocolate.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Milton Hershey’s aunt ran a successful business of her own.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Milton Hershey closed his first shop because it did not make money.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Milton Hershey produced his chocolate in strict accordance with the Swiss recipe.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 The Nickel Bar was expensive chocolate for elite customers.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Milton Hershey gave lots of money to charity projects.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

It was Milton Hershey’s idea to create Hershey Park.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The Great Fire of London

 

The Great Fire of London in September 1666 was one of the most famous incidents in the history of Great Britain. It was the second tragedy to hit London during one year. Just as London was recovering from the Great Plague, the citizens had to run away again – but now not because of a

new disease, but because of a terrible fire.

 

   The fire started on the night of September 2, 1666, in Pudding Lane, in a baker’s shop. The shop was owned by Thomas Farriner, the king’s baker. His maid didn’t put out the ovens at the end of the night. Soon the wooden home of Farriner was on fire. Farriner’s family left the house in panic and ran away. Thomas Farriner didn’t raise the alarm, though at that time it was possible to stop the fire.

 

The maid tried to climb out of the building too but failed. She was one of the few victims of the fire. Once it started, the fire spread quickly. London was basically made out of wood and after the hot summer, the city was very dry. Strong winds fanned the flames.

 

Besides, in the 17th century the city buildings were built close to each other and the fire spread with terrifying speed. Londoners tried to stop the fire, but their buckets of water could do nothing against such a terrible disaster. Unfortunately the Lord Mayor did not take any measures to stop the fire and the fire spread further.

 

After four days while helpless citizens were watching the destruction of their homes, the wind died and the fire was stopped. Then the accounting took place. Fully 80% of the city was destroyed including the spiritual centre of the city, Old St Paul's Cathedral. Surprisingly, very few people were killed.

 

Well, one person's disaster is another person's opportunity. Within days of the fire's end, an architect, Christopher Wren, proposed his plan to Charles II: it was a plan for the complete rebuilding of the city. Wren suggested making wide streets in the centre of London to open the city to light and air.

 

   Charles II realized that Wren’s plan was very expensive and it would be difficult to put it into practice. Instead, Charles II offered that Wren rebuild the city's churches, including London’s main church – St Paul's Cathedral. Christopher Wren was completing this task for the next fifty

years.

 

Christopher Wren also was responsible for building the London Monument, a memorial commemorating the fire. The Monument is a column with a height of 202 feet, which is the exact distance from the monument to the place where the fire began.

The original plans for the Monument provided a statue of Charles II on top, but Charles objected to the honour. He was afraid that the people of London would then associate him with the disaster. Wren replaced the statue with a simple bowl with flames. Nowadays the Monument is open for visitors all year round. Anyone can climb the 311 steps to the top of the Monument and enjoy a wonderful view of the city.

 

There were several fires in London’s history.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The king’s baker immediately warned the neighbours about the fire.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The Lord Mayor ordered to destroy lots of buildings to stop the fire.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Wren’s plan of London’s rebuilding was approved by the king.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Christopher Wren agreed to create a monument to remind people about the Great Fire.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

There is a statue of King Charles II on top of the monument.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Tourists can go up to the top of the London Monument.

            1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The London Monument is the only one in the capital dedicated to the Great Fire.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The Owl

 

Joan Harrison was walking along the street. She was shy and always felt lonely and upset. Joan worked as a secretary in an office in the city centre. It was lunch time and she went out to get some air. She was looking absently at the shop-windows when she saw a brown wooden owl in one of them. Suddenly Joan stopped. Joan was totally indifferent to birds and she had never understood people who collected useless statues. But for some reason she could not take her eyes off the owl. The wooden owl drew Joan to itself.

 

   Joan decided to buy the owl. She earned a little, just to pay for her room and food. She couldn’t afford new clothes. Even a ticket to the cinema was a heavy expense for her. But this time Joan was sure that she had to buy the wooden owl.

 

Joan opened the door of the shop. She asked the shop assistant about the price of the wooden owl. It was fifty pounds. Joan understood that it was sheer madness to buy such an expensive wooden bird. But she did it without any hesitation.

 

Joan left ten pounds in advance and promised to bring the rest of the money in the evening. After work she ran home, took all her savings and rushed back to the shop in excitement. Joan brought the wooden owl home and put it onto the table. Joan smiled and touched the owl’s head. Suddenly, she felt happy and self-confident.

 

The next morning she left her house in a very good mood. Now, having the owl at home, Joan made it a habit to say good-bye and touch the owl’s head before leaving. Amazingly, after this simple gesture she was cheerful and energetic the whole day. One morning, when patting the owl on the head, Joan remembered her wish to join the evening pottery class at college. She had often thought about it but always changed her mind at the last moment. Now she decided to fulfill her wish.

 

At the pottery class Joan achieved considerable results. Her teacher said she had a unique style. Nobody knew that she worked hard at home. Under the owl’s observation Joan experimented with forms and colours. Once she took part in the students’ show at the college, and the Art Museum asked her to sell her works for two thousand pounds. The sum covered all her debts and she could afford to buy a new dress and shoes and even more. 

 

The next step was the annual National Art Festival, at which a secretary, Joan Harrison, presented her personal exhibition. Her fame and income were growing. Joan left her office and became a potter. A year later she and the art director of the museum were happily married. They moved to a large country house and now Joan had her own pottery.

 

Joan took the lucky owl with her. It took its honorary place in the large living room. In her last years she often remembered the shop where she had bought the owl, her evening classes and her first steps in pottery. Joan was so proud of the owl that each piece of her pottery had a picture of the owl on it. Lots of famous artists and important people visited Joan and her husband, but Joan never gave her owl to anybody until her dying day.

 

Joan collected small statues of birds.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Joan had a well-paid job.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The shop assistant showed Joan several wooden owls.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 The wooden owl improved Joan’s mood.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Joan joined the pottery class because of her friends’ advice.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Joan successfully participated in Art exhibitions.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

There was an image of the owl on every Joan’s works.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The wooden owl disappeared after Joan’s death.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Sports in Great Britain

 

It is interesting how many of today’s sports games originated in Britain – football, rugby, tennis,

boxing, rowing and horse racing among them. Of course, horse racing was popular with the Greeks and Arabs long before the British began to put them into practice; and people had been playing football in one form or another for thousands of years all over the world. But it was the British who created special rules for these sports and sports games.

 

Football is a good example. In the Middle Ages people in Europe, Japan and Asia all played some forms of the game. A sort of football was also very popular in England, especially as a contest between villages. But at that time there were very few rules. When the students of English schools started to play football, rules then became necessary. They were changed several times and by the middle of the 19th century football had become very much the game that we know and like today. By the way, the first serious football rules were written at Cambridge University.

 

A similar story can be told about some other sports. Why did this happen in Britain before other countries? There are some possible explanations: after the Norman invasion of 1066, Britain was quite a peaceful country. As a result people had time to develop sports. Later, after Britain’s industrial revolution, English factories were based on highly organized work and strict time keeping. The same discipline was applied to sport. So uniforms, referees and punishments were introduced to football and other games. British authorities thought that team games were good training for future military and industrial careers.

 

Every country has its own list of favourite sports. What is the British list? There are lots of games apart from football. Schoolgirls, for example, play a game which seems a lot like basketball. It is called netball. Netball is different from basketball in many details: for example, the ball is lighter, the court is bigger and netball has seven players in each team (not five). There is something very strange about netball – it is never played by boys. There is no biological reason for this, it is

simply a tradition. It is popular throughout the English-speaking world, and the Australians and New Zealanders usually win the competitions.

 

But the most famous and popular British sport is cricket. Cricket is an important part of English summer life. You can watch it all day on TV or even listen to it on the radio. News programmes keep you up-to-date with the score. Men, when they meet, always exchange a few words about the state of the game.

 

One of cricket’s distinguishing features is that the games are very long. In an ordinary game at a boys’ school it takes up to a whole afternoon. But the big international games are up to five days long.

 

Football was the most popular game in the Ancient World.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The rules for modern football were created in Great Britan.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

All the students had to play football and other team games at British schools.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Basketball and netball are the same game under different names.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Netball was invented in a British boarding school for girls.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Teams from Great Britain always win the international netball competitions.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The British mass media pay lots of attention to cricket.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

According to the rules, a game of cricket lasts no longer than an hour and a half.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The White House

 

For more than 200 years, the White House has been known as the symbol of the President's administration, and of the United States.           

 

The history of the White House began when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress in December of 1790 which declared that the federal government would live in a district "not exceeding ten miles square on the river Potomac." The creation of the new American capital began. Later it was named Washington after the first American President.

 

George Washington, together with the city planner Pierre L'Enfant, chose the place for the new president’s home. A competition was held to find an architect to design the President's House. Nine proposals were handed in, and architect James Hoban won the competition. He proposed to build an impressive three-storey house.          

 

The construction began in October of 1792. Although President Washington watched over the construction of the house, he never lived in it. Originally the White House was grey and was called the Presidential Palace. In 1800, when it was nearly completed, its first residents, President John Adams and his wife moved in. Ever since, each President of the United States has lived in this residence.

 

The Presidential Palace was seriously damaged in the great fire of 1814. The British invaded Washington and burned many buildings. After the war James Hoban, the original architect, partially rebuilt the President’s home. To cover the marks of the fire, the building was painted white. At various times in history, the building has been known as the President's Palace, the President's House, and the Executive Mansion. President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave it the name of the White House in 1901.          

 

The White House is the president's private home and each president has made his own changes and additions in it. At first the president's office was located in the living area, on the second floor of the White House. When Theodore Roosevelt brought his large family to the White House in 1901, he felt that his office and his home should be completely separated. Two wings were added to the first floor of the building: the East Wing and the West Wing. The President's Office was moved into the West Wing and was called the Oval Office.

 

In 1805 President Thomas Jefferson opened the house for public tours. However, since September 11, 2001 the public tours have been prohibited.

 

There are 132 rooms in the residence now. For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, a jogging track, a swimming pool, a movie theatre, and a bowling alley.

 

The garden around the White House was first planted by John Adams, the first resident of the White house. Later it was redesigned by many presidents and their first ladies. The part of the garden outside the Oval Office is used now as a place for official ceremonies.

 

All the government members approved of the place for the new capital.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

The President’s House was built according to George Washington’s design.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 George Washington was the first resident of the new President’s Palace.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

The White House had several names during its history.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

President Theodore Roosevelt enlarged the territory of the White House.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Nowadays the White House is open for tourists on week days.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The White House offers different sport facilities to its residents.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The garden of the White House presents a rich collection of exotic plants.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Potatoes

 

The potato comes from the high and cool areas of the Andes of Peru. It began to be grown as food more than 7,000 years ago. When Europeans came to South America, they took the potato back to Europe.

 

In 1589, Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer and historian known for his expeditions to the Americas, first brought the potato to Ireland and planted the new vegetable there. In spite of the fact that the potatoes grew very well in the poor soil of Ireland, it took nearly 200 years for them to become a widely grown crop in Ireland and Great Britain. People didn’t like its unusual appearance and originally bitter taste. Besides, the potato was not mentioned in the Bible and it was often associated with the devil.

 

According to legend, Sir Walter Raleigh presented potato plants to Queen Elizabeth I. A special royal potato dinner was made and the noble men were invited to taste the new American vegetable. But the royal cooks didn’t know how to cook potatoes: they cut off and threw away the ugly-looking tubers and brought to the royal table a dish of boiled leaves (which are very poisonous). Most of the guests died after that royal dinner and potatoes were forbidden for many years.

 

Only two hundred years later farmers in Great Britain and Ireland began growing potatoes. Soon the rest of Europe started to follow Britain. The only country which did not accept potatoes was France. To overcome the negative attitude of the French people towards the new vegetable, King Louis XVI started to wear a potato flower as a decoration. He tried to make the people understand the benefit of potatoes as food. Even after the French king had given an order to his citizens to grow potatoes, they still were against the unfamiliar vegetable. The farmers refused to eat potatoes because of its unusual smell and taste. Then King Louis XVI decided to trick his people. In order to show the value of the potato, the king ordered to have it planted in a royal field and put guards to watch over the field. When the local farmers saw the guards at the royal field, they decided that the thing so carefully guarded must be valuable. One day, the guards were allowed to go off duty. The local farmers went into the field, dug out some potatoes and planted them in their fields. The king’s plan was a success. From this small start, the habit of growing and eating potatoes spread all over the country.

 

As Europeans began to grow potatoes, they realized the advantages of the new vegetable. The potato harvest was enough to feed their own families and to sell some to the citizens of towns and cities. The new food stimulated the development of cities and industries. Besides, the health of the people improved as they included potatoes in their diets. Now the potato is grown and enjoyed everywhere.

 

Potatoes were the basic food for the people of Peru.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

The British people liked potatoes at once.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

The potato dish for the royal dinner was prepared in a wrong way.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 King Louis XVI supported the idea of growing potatoes for food.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

It was necessary to wear potato flowers for royal ceremonies in France.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 French farmers stole some potatoes from the King’s field.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The potato helped the development of the European countries.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Nowadays the potato is the most popular vegetable in Europe.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

When rock meets classical music

 

On a rainy September morning Robert came to the agent to check the number of concerts his rock group had during the month. When he came into the room, the agent was talking to a man whose elegant style and manners gave away that he was a classical musician. The agent introduced the stranger as Kevin, an opera singer. “We are colleagues,” Robert said. “I’m a classically trained pianist myself, but I chose to play in a rock band.”

 

From Kevin’s look Robert understood his words were a surprise to the opera singer. Kevin didn’t seem to believe Robert. That’s why Robert continued, “I know most people think rock musicians never do any classical stuff. But you can come to my concert tonight and see for yourself”, added Robert and handed Kevin his card. Kevin seemed intrigued and accepted the card.

 

At 9.00 the rock club was full as usual. From his central position on the stage, Robert could clearly see the crowd waving enthusiastically and cheering each song with their hands up. There were many of his friends and colleagues and there was Kevin, rocking with the crowd. He was enjoying the rock concert but didn’t seem to take it seriously.

 

During the break Robert came up to Kevin. “Are you still sceptical or have you changed your opinion about rock music?” he asked. “It’s been a good concert, you know, but this rock music is not my kind of thing”, said Kevin, “It’s not for professionals.” Feeling hurt, Robert decided to show the stereotype was not true.

 

He named many world famous rock stars like Elton John or Freddie Mercury who began as classical pianists. Bon Jovi also took lessons from professional singers. Kevin smiled but still stood his ground. He did not believe that classical and rock music could be ranked equally. In spite of the famous names Robert had mentioned, Kevin did not accept his point of view.

 

Suddenly Robert jumped on the stage and picked up his guitar. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to change today’s programme. A few classical pieces will be presented to you. We’ve never done it in our rock club but today is a special occasion. We have an opera singer with us tonight, and I’m going to show him that Bach’s and Beethoven’s music can be as modern as Queen and Michael Jackson”.

 

He started playing the ‘Moonlight Sonata’ by Beethoven very softly as it had to be played in the classical style but made the second part sound more like the blues. The crowd kept swaying silently. In the next famous classical piece, ‘The Flight of the Bumble-Bee’, his rock band joined in and they finished triumphantly with the crowd cheering. Kevin looked impressed.

 

“That was moving. Sorry, I’ve been a snob”, said Kevin. Robert realized he had won and smiled. “Why don’t we arrange a project together to mix rock with classical music?” he suggested. “Good idea!” exclaimed Kevin. They agreed to have an official meeting before the next concert in the club. When Kevin left, Robert was sitting on the stage playing Mozart.

 

 

Robert and Kevin met for the first time at a concert.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Robert was educated in classical music.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The club arranged rock concerts twice a week.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

There were few people in the rock club that night.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Beethoven was Robert’s favourite composer.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

That night classical musical pieces were performed in the rock club for the first time.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

The audience of the rock club disliked Robert's interpretation of classical music.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Finally, Robert and Kevin decided to make a joint performance.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Honesty lesson

 

Josh Ferrin worked as an artist for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah. The newspaper has the longest history in the state and the biggest Sunday circulation. Fresh and original images are definitely an important part of the newspaper’s policy. So, Josh had a lot of work and hoped that in several years he could save up for a house of his own.

 

Josh adored his wife and two children. They spent holidays together travelling in their old car that broke down regularly. At weekends in winter, they watched their favourite movies in a rented flat that seemed smaller and smaller as the children were growing. But neither the tiny flat nor the old car could ruin their happiness and mutual understanding.

 

Once Josh and his wife were watching a TV program about children who lived in an orphanage and needed parents. They were so deeply moved by the children’s sad life stories that they decided to adopt a child. The only thing that could stop them was the small flat. That was the moment Josh started looking for a new house.

 

Finding a proper house was not an easy thing to do. They wanted it to be not very expensive, big enough and have some history. Finally, Josh brought his wife to look at an outdated two-storey house with a large attic. Though the house needed repair, there was something about it that made Josh and his wife like it. The real estate agent told them the story of the previous owner. He had six children but lived a lonely life in that house and died several years ago. His children decided to sell the old house and share the money.

 

When they moved in, they went on exploring the house. The massive staircases, cosy bedrooms, a large kitchen and an airy living-room were all they could dream of. The children were running about the house crying out with joy. The only door that was closed led to the attic below the roof. The next day when his wife and children were away, Josh managed to unlock the door and decided to inspect the attic.

 

The dark space was empty, with spiders’ webs hanging in the corners. Josh turned on the light and noticed a pile of boxes and tins in one of the corners. A small, broken bike lay nearby. Josh thought the room would be ideal for his art studio and started cleaning it up. He threw away several empty boxes when he suddenly found out that all the rest were stuffed with old books.

 

Josh drew out several books from one of the boxes and found a thick pile of banknotes at the bottom. When the family returned, Josh called his wife and told her about the treasure he had found. He also showed her a short notice he had found in the same box. The message, ‘to my children’, was written on a piece of yellowish paper.

 

The sum was enough to buy a new car and repair the house for their own growing family and the child the Ferrins wanted to adopt. The temptation to keep the money was great, but Josh and his wife understood it was not their money.

The next week Josh found the previous owner’s family and handed them the money and the note.

 

 

Josh was happy with his career at the newspaper.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The members of Josh’s family often spent free time together.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Josh’s children approved of their parents’ idea to adopt a child.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The previous owner of the house had moved to live with his children.

          1) True

          2) False

            3) Not stated

 

Josh’s children disliked their new home.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Josh wanted to arrange a place to work in the attic.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

In the message, the previous owner asked to give the money to the local orphanage.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Josh followed the old man’s will.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Childhood memories

 

Amazingly, I’ve recently published my third book. I started writing all of a sudden. Once when I was babysitting for my sister, my nephew asked me to tell him a story. I told him about some adventures with my friend, Johnny Price. My nephew got interested in my childhood memories and, later, these stories turned into my first book for children. The main heroes of the book were Johnny Price and me. My childhood friend, Johnny Price, lived three doors down the street. Our friendship lasted for only about three or four years, but it was a very important part of my childhood. That’s why I still feel like calling Johnny ‘my best friend’.

 

Like every kid on our street, Johnny and I had bikes. We used them to get to the Grants', a family who owned a convenience store one street over from ours. We would go with some of our weekly pocket money and buy ourselves some candies, bubble gum, a bag of chips and a Coke or Pepsi. Most small candies were one cent each, so fifty cents seemed like a lot of money. We quite often walked out of the store with a bagful of fifty candies. We thought it would be great to get a job at the store one day. But we never tried to get one.

 

Another thing that comes to mind is how we used to sit in my parents' car and listen to music on a cassette on the car stereo. One thing that I clearly remember listening to is the main theme from the film ‘Superman’. For some reason this memory is very powerful. Even today when I hear the ‘Superman’ soundtrack it takes me back to being a little kid eating chips and sour candies in the car.

 

I’ll never forget how one day Johnny found a frog and decided to keep it, as some sort of pet. It didn't take long for his parents to explain to him that it wasn't such a good idea, so Johnny decided to let the frog go free. So we walked down to the bridge and let him go into the stream. We then stood on the bridge and watched him float downstream, wishing him the best of luck.

 

Johnny and I had fun doing a lot of things together, but we sometimes had our differences. I can't name any of the things we had disagreements about, but whenever we did, and whatever they were about, it often resulted in both of us walking away from each other in anger and saying we would never talk to each other again. Of course, almost always, the next day one of us would call the other up as if nothing had happened.

 

However, after one serious disagreement we never called each other back. Whatever it was, it ended our friendship. I've often wondered what made us part ways forever. It was probably something silly that only thirteen-year-old boys could get so annoyed about.

 

 

The author started to write due to his nephew.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

The author and Johnny Price lived in different parts of town.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The author had a newer, cooler bike than Johnny.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The author and Johnny Price worked for the Grants’ convenience shop.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

The author and Johnny Price saw the film ‘Superman’ more than once.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 Johnny’s parents disapproved of keeping a frog as a pet.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 In their childhood, the author and Johnny Price could not avoid quarrels.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The author and Johnny are still good friends.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Cirque du Soleil

 

Guy Laliberté was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1959. From childhood he dreamt of doing something risky in his life. He got out of his parents’ control very early and started earning money as a street performer. To amuse people, Guy played the accordion, danced and did fire eating. After several years of being on the road at the age of twenty three he decided to settle down.

 

In 1982 Guy Laliberté started a serious business that made him one of the richest Canadians. He began learning world circus techniques professionally. Additionally, his travel experience and his friends’ support helped him arrange the first national circus in Quebec. For the first time, Guy Laliberté managed to combine circus arts with street performance, which finally made his circus extremely popular.

 

When it was time to decide on a name, Guy Laliberté didn’t discuss it with anybody. He called his project Cirque du Soleil or Circus of the Sun. The decision was not made by chance, because the image of the sun reminded him of the youth and energy his artists personified.

 

Montreal authorities let Laliberté rent a piece of land far from the city centre. In 1984 the district was a waste land that needed major reconstruction. In spite of the high cost, the first Cirque du Soleil hall for eight hundred people was built in that area. The main office never changed its location and has become a new cultural centre in Quebec.

 

The main office is located in an unusual building that consists of the Studio and the Parlour, painted blue and yellow. The Studio is the place for training and the artists’ offices, while the Parlour is the home for set and costume designers. They always have a lot of work to do, because all the cloth bought for performances is initially white. To make the costumes bright, different colours are printed according to designers' sketches.

 

Initially the company had about seventy employees. Today it has more than four thousand artists, acrobats, divers, dancers and singers from about forty countries, speaking about twenty languages. It enables Cirque du Soleil to perform in different parts of the world at the same time. Its offices are also located in London, New York, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Singapore, Moscow and several other cities.

 

Since its foundation, Cirque du Soleil has visited more than one hundred and thirty cities and welcomed more than forty million spectators. The company offers a series of thematic shows. For example, Saltimbanco invites the audience on a city tour, Love tells the story of the Beatles, and Alegria creates an optimistic mood.

 

However, performing is not the only priority of the company. It has initiated an international program for teenagers who are at risk. The company also organizes training courses to support circus schools in Canada. This is how Guy Laliberté keeps the right balance between business, art and philanthropy.

 

 Guy Laliberté’s parents were street performers.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 Guy Laliberte’s circus in Quebec differed from the other circus of the time.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Guy Laliberte’s friends helped him to choose a name for the circus.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The district where Cirque du Soleil was built was later renamed after the circus.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The main office of Cirque du Soleil is a three-coloured building.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

All the costumes of the Cirque du Soleil artists are yellow.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The team of artists at Cirque du Soleil is multinational.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Cirque du Soleil invests money into social projects.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Scouts

 

On January 24, 1908, the Boy Scout movement started in England with the publication of Robert Baden-Powell's handbook Scouting for Boys. The name Baden-Powell was already well-known to many English boys, and thousands of them eagerly bought the handbook. By the end of April, numerous Boy Scout troops had appeared across Britain.

 

In 1900, General Baden-Powell became a national hero in Britain for his 217-day defence of Mafeking in the Second Boer War in South Africa. Soon after, his military field manual, Aids to Scouting, written for British soldiers in 1899, became popular with a younger audience. Boys loved the lessons on tracking and observation and organized outdoor games using the book. Hearing this, Baden-Powell decided to write a non-military field manual for teenagers that would also emphasize the importance of morality and good deeds.

 

First, however, he decided to try out some of his ideas on an actual group of boys. On July 25, 1907, he took a diverse group of 21 boys to Brownsea Island in Dorset, where they set up camp for two weeks. With the aid of other instructors, he taught the boys about camping, observation, deduction, woodcraft, boating, life saving, and good manners. Many of these lessons were learned through original games that were very popular with the boys. The first Boy Scout meeting was a great success. Soon the handbook Scouting for Boys appeared.

 

With the success of Scouting for Boys, Baden-Powell set up a central Boy Scouts' office, which registered new Scouts and designed a uniform. By the end of 1908, there were 60,000 Boy Scouts, and troops began to appear in British Commonwealth countries across the globe. The Scout movement supported the boys in their physical, mental and spiritual development. The boys learned to work together to achieve goals, they also gave a promise to live by certain rules, and to help others when they could.

 

In September 1909, the first national Boy Scout meeting was held at the Crystal Palace in London. Ten thousand Scouts showed up, including a group of uniformed girls who called themselves the Girl Scouts. A year later, Baden-Powell organized the Girl Guides as a separate organization.

 

The American version of the Boy Scouts has its origins in an event that occurred in London in 1909. Chicago publisher William Boyce lost his way in the fog. So he stopped under a street light to read his map when he was approached by a young British boy. The boy asked the man if he could help and William Boyce explained that he had got lost. After guiding Boyce to his destination, the boy refused a tip, explaining that as a Boy Scout he would not accept payment for doing a good deed. This anonymous gesture inspired Boyce to organize several regional U.S. youth organizations. The Scouts movement soon spread throughout the country. In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America in Savannah, Georgia.

 

In 1920 the first international Boy Scout Jamboree was held in London, and Robert Baden-Powell was acclaimed Chief Scout of the World. The founder of the Scout organization died in 1941.

 

Nowadays, the Scouts Movement exists in 216 different countries all over the world, there are more than 28 million boy scouts and over 10 million girl scouts.

 

 

The word ‘scout’ was thought up by Robert Baden-Powell.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The success of Aids to Scouting made Robert Baden-Powell write a similar book for young people.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Robert Baden-Powell thought that the Scouts should be well-mannered.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The first camp organised by Baden-Powell on an island was a failure.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The rules of the Girl Scouts differed from the rules of the Boy Scouts.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

William Boyce founded the Boy Scouts organization in the USA because he was impressed by the behaviour of a British Scout.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

In the USA William Boyce founded both organizations: the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Robert Baden-Powell was awarded the title Chief Scout of the World after his death.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Joseph Rudyard Kipling

 

    Joseph Rudyard Kipling is considered to be one of the greatest English writers. He was born in 1865, in Bombay, India. At the time of his birth, his parents were recent arrivals in India. They had come to India with plans to start a new life. The family lived quite well. His father, an artist, was the head of the Department of Architectural Sculpture at the School of Art. For young Kipling, India was a wonderful and happy place.

 

    However, at the age of 6, Kipling's life changed greatly. He was sent to England to receive a formal British education. These were hard years for Kipling. The boy suffered from strict school discipline, his classmates’ insults and bullying. His only comfort was books: he enjoyed reading. By the age of 11, Kipling was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Fortunately, Kipling’s mother placed him in a new school. There, Kipling found friends and discovered his talent for writing, eventually becoming the editor of the school newspaper.

 

    In 1882, Kipling was told by his parents that they didn't have enough money to send him to college, and he returned to India. It was a powerful moment in the young writer's life. He found a job with a local newspaper. Kipling's experience as a reporter formed the backbone for lots of his stories. Later, his collection of 40 short stories called Plain Tales from the Hills gained wide popularity in England.

 

    Seven years later, Kipling returned to England in the hope of becoming a famous writer. In London, he met Wolcott Balestier, an American publisher who became one of Kipling's great friends and supporters. Later, Kipling happily married Wolcott’s sister, Carrie.

 

As a writer, Kipling flourished. His portfolio contained gems like The Jungle Book, The Naulahka: A Story of the West and East and The Second Jungle Book. Kipling loved children and understood them very well. His tales fascinated boys and girls all over the world. 

 

    Kipling travelled a lot, but in 1902 he returned to Great Britain with his wife and children. The Kiplings bought a large estate in Sussex and many of his most famous books were written there. One of them was Just So Stories. The book's name had, in fact, come from his daughter, who asked her father to repeat each tale several times, or "just so," as she often said.

 

    In 1907 he was the first English writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. It was international recognition of his talent.

 

In 1914, the First World War began and Kipling was a passionate supporter of the fight against Germany. He even encouraged his son John to join the army though John had a serious problem with his eyesight. Kipling and his son were very close. Unfortunately, in October of 1915, John was killed in France. Kipling, feeling guilty about persuading his son to become a soldier, was terribly depressed.

 

    Due to these sad circumstances, for the last twenty years of his life Kipling did not write any more of his wonderful children's tales. 

Kipling was born into the family of a writer.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 His school teachers considered the young Kipling a capable student.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Kipling studied at college.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Kipling met his future wife due to his friend.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The book Just So Stories got its name due to Kipling’s daughter.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

At the beginning of the 20th century, Kipling was given a prestigious literary award.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Kipling’s son returned from the war with a problem with his eyesight.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Kipling continued creating tales for children until the end of his life.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

David Livingstone

 

David Livingstone was an explorer, missionary, and anti-slavery fighter. He became a great hero of the 19th century for his discoveries in Africa.

 

David Livingstone was born in 1813 in Scotland, and grew up with several brothers and sisters in a single room in a gloomy building for the workers of a cotton factory. To support his family, he started working at the cotton mill as a child. The work was dull and monotonous, but it taught him patience and sympathy with those who worked hard. Though he had twelve-hour working days, David studied at school during the evenings and weekends. Later, he started studying medicine in Glasgow and completed his medical studies in 1840 in London.

 

In the official role of a ‘medical missionary’, he set off for Africa, arriving in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1841.

 

Exploring Africa, Livingstone went north and walked across the Kalahari Desert. He came upon Lake Ngami and, later, the Zambezi River. Livingstone was the first European to see the famous Zambezi falls, which he renamed Victoria Falls, after Queen Victoria.

 

Livingstone was the first medical missionary to enter southern and central Africa, and he was the first European to meet local tribes. He won their trust as a friendly person and an experienced doctor. He had so many patients among the native people that he had to limit his treatment only to those with serious illnesses.

 

David Livingstone made two more expeditions to Africa. By 1856, he was one of the first Europeans to cross the African continent from west to east. His motto, which was later written on the base of the statue to him at Victoria Falls, was ‘Christianity, Commerce and Civilization.’ He deeply believed that the navigation of the Zambezi River, as a commercial route into the centre of the continent, would help people achieve these goals. Livingstone also tried to find the source of the Nile River. He never did, but discovered lots of facts about the four great African lakes.

 

Livingstone’s African expeditions brought him fame as one of the leading explorers of the 19th century. However, according to historians, one of Livingstone's greatest achievements was also promoting antislavery ideas. His books told people about the cruelties and horrors slaves had to suffer.

 

For several years there were no letters from Livingstone and it was decided in London that the explorer was lost. The two main British newspapers sent the journalist, Henry Stanley, to Africa to find David Livingstone. Stanley found the explorer in late 1871, and upon seeing him, said the now well-known words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

 

Livingstone refused to leave his beloved Africa and spent the last years of his life almost cut off from the outside world. He died in 1873. Later, his body was transported to London and buried in Westminster Abbey.

 

All David Livingstone’s sisters and brothers started working in their childhood.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

In his childhood David Livingstone never attended school.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Livingstone named one of the natural wonders after the British Queen.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

During his expeditions, David Livingstone treated the local people.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Livingstone went to Africa several times.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Livingstone bought slaves and made them free.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Henry Stanley made David Livingstone return to England.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

David Livingstone’s grave is in Africa.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Robert Falcon Scott

 

Robert Falcon Scott, known as Captain Scott or Scott of the Antarctic, was a British polar explorer. He joined the Royal Navy in 1882. Although he had no previous experience of polar research, in 1900 he became the leader of the British Antarctic Expedition. This expedition, known as the Discovery Expedition lasted from 1901 to 1904. Among other important things it determined the nature and size of the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

 

The aim of Scott’s second expedition in 1910-12 was to reach the South Pole. Departing from Cardiff, Wales, on the ship Terra Nova, the expedition reached the Antarctic coast in 1911. There Scott learned that the Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, had already left for the Pole. So Scott’s chance to reach the South Pole before R. Amundsen was poor.

 

Equipped with motor tractors, ponies and dogs, Scott and 11 members of his team set off for the Pole on 24 October, 1911. Unfortunately, the motor tractors rapidly broke down and their ponies were unsuitable for Antarctic conditions. Very soon, six members of the team were sent back. The five explorers continued their dangerous journey across the snowy desert. On 16 January, they saw a black marker flag left by the Norwegian expedition, and two days later the party reached the South Pole itself, where the Norwegians had built a snow marker. Amundsen had reached the South Pole more than a month earlier, on 14 December 1911. Scott was greatly disappointed after the exhausting 81-day journey and recorded in his diary, "This is an awful place and terrible enough for us to have reached it without the reward of priority."

 

However, the 800 mile return journey was even more terrible. Two members fell ill and died, and the remaining explorers were frozen inside their tent in a terrible nine-day snowstorm. The last entry in Scott's diary was made on 29 March.

 

Eight months later a search party, led by Dr Atkinson, discovered the tent and the bodies of the explorers, along with the diaries and last letters of Scott. Scott had written a message explaining the reasons for the failure. The search party buried the brave explorers and built a snow memorial on their grave. Later, another memorial was put up at Observation Hill, at Hut Point (Antarctica) with the words ‘to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.’

 

      The news about the death of the Polar team reached Britain in February 1913. Within days, Scott became a national icon. A memorial service was held in St Paul’s Cathedral. A campaign was launched to raise a memorial fund to continue the scientific work Scott had carried out. The Scott Polar Research Institute was founded. In the several years following the disaster, more than 30 monuments and memorials were set up in Britain alone.

 

Captain Scott became the head of the British Antarctic Expedition because of his great experience.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Captain Scott and Roald Amundsen knew each other quite well.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Captain Scott’s team reached the South Pole later than the Norwegian team.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Captain Scott put the British flag on the South Pole.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

No members of Scott’s team who reached the pole survived.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Scott’s diaries were found only in the 21st century.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Scott’s body was transported to Britain to be buried.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

The British did a lot to keep the memory of Captain Scott alive.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Christmas Fire

 

    Dan had sweet memories of his childhood years, especially Christmas. In those days, he had lived in Wales, in a small town. He remembered the white snow in the garden and a cold moon in the sky at night. December was always cold and frosty. Dan spent lots of time outdoors because he liked playing in the snow. While Dan was growing up, each Christmas was much like the last: Christmas tree, Christmas wishes, Christmas presents under the tree, Christmas dinner with relatives. But one of his Christmases he would remember forever.

 

    It was many years ago, and he was 6 or 7 years old. It was the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Dan was playing in Mrs. Prothero’s garden with her son Jim. Dan was afraid of Mrs. Prothero because she always looked strict and harsh. She never invited him to the house. But her son Jim was different. The boys were playing cat hunters: they made lots of snowballs and prepared to attack the cats. Dan and Jim felt cold waiting for the cats to come over the garden wall. But none of them had appeared yet.

 

    Suddenly the boys heard a loud cry from the house. At first they thought it was Mrs. Prothero’s white cat that was their main enemy. Soon the cry repeated and grew louder. Now the boys understood that it was Mrs. Prothero herself, and she was shouting ’Fire!’

 

    The boys ran down towards the house. The door was wide open with grey smoke coming from inside. Something was burning. Mrs. Prothero desperately called for help and for Mr. Prothero, who was obviously sleeping in another room. He always slept after lunch with a newspaper over his face. Finally, Mr. Prothero appeared in the clouds of smoke in the doorway. “What a fine Christmas!” he said waving his hand like an orchestra conductor. Mrs. Prothero asked him to call the fire brigade, but he doubted that they would be available because of the holiday. But he sent the boys to the telephone box.

 

Dan and Jim rushed out of the house. The adventure seemed to be better than cat hunting. Jim suggested also calling the police and the ambulance. But they called only the fire brigade. The fire truck and three tall men in helmets arrived just as the boys returned to Mrs. Prothero’s house. It was the noisiest and most unusual Christmas Eve they had ever had.

 

The firemen started the pump and the water ran into the house. When it was all over, Mr. and Mrs. Prothero were standing in their wet and smoky room with a grey Christmas tree in the middle. The room looked a complete mess. Mrs. Prothero opened the oven and took out a burnt cake. She was in tears – it had been a horrible Christmas.

 

Just as the firemen were going to leave, Jim’s aunt, Miss Prothero, came back home. She looked surprised at the crowd of neighbours but did not give way to panic. She opened a colourful paper bag and produced a nice Christmas cake from the nearest shop. Then she smiled and said, “Merry Christmas! Everything will be all right!”

 

Dan enjoyed playing outdoors in cold weather.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

That day, Dan and Jim hit Mrs. Prothero’s white cat with snowballs.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Mr. Prothero was a local musician.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The boys called the police and the ambulance.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

The fire brigade failed to come because it was a holiday.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

It was the Christmas cake in the oven that had caused the fire.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Miss Prothero returned home when the fire was over.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The neighbours invited the Protheros to celebrate Christmas with them.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

A Missing Street

 

Mark had worked in the Сity Hall for more than twenty years. He registered the files with the names of all the streets in Montreal. Mark lived near the City Hall and rarely walked round the city, but he knew the location of the streets very well. He knew Montreal better than the policemen or taxi drivers.

 

His job was pretty dull and monotonous, but Mark preferred the office to his flat in Oven Street anyway. His neighbours were noisy and unpleasant. Every time he tried to explain the importance of his work, they looked down on him as a low-level clerk. They failed to understand that they got their mail only because Oven Street had its postal index in one of the files in the City Hall.

 

Once Mark’s peaceful life was disturbed. He opened one of the drawers in his study and found an index card stuck at the back. He drew it out carefully. Green Bottle Street it said. Mark stared at it in wonder. He could not remember any street with that name. He searched all the files but could not find anything. It was not on the list.

 

Mark examined the card once more. There was no mistake. The paper was old and yellow. The last inspection date marked on the card was more than fifteen years before. Mark was frozen with horror. It was a lost, forgotten street! For so many years it had existed a mile away from the Hall, and nobody knew about it.

 

    Deep in his heart, Mark sometimes had thought of such a possibility. There were so many winding streets in the city that it looked like a labyrinth. But with all these files it simply could not happen. Vaguely he remembered that at the beginning of his career his office had moved to another floor and all the cards were made afresh. Maybe at that time one of the cards had got stuck in the drawer.

 

    Mark slept badly that night. In the morning he put the card in his pocket and went looking for Green Bottle Street. Though he knew its location, he passed it twice. Finally, he came up to a wooden door, behind which a narrow street started. He opened the door and stepped inside. Green Bottle Street lay before him.

 

    It was named after its shape. On either side of the street there were three well-kept houses with nice, small gardens in front. At the end of the street there was a brick wall, which separated it from the rest of the world. Everything there was quiet and safe. An old woman was watering roses in one of the gardens.

 

    She told Mark that they used to pay taxes and get the mail until they were forgotten. Then they built a wooden door with a lock to protect their tiny peaceful area from passers-by and officials. They helped people who got tired of the busy city and wanted to take a break for a while. Some rooms in the houses were for rent.

 

Mark understood that the yellow card he had found in the drawer could break people’s peaceful but fragile world. He sighed and tore the card to pieces. For all he cared, Green Bottle Street could remain lost forever.

 

Mark’s responsibility was to invent names for the city’s streets.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 Mark’s neighbours ignored the significance of his work.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Over the past 15 years, Green Bottle Street had been without any postal index code.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The card Green Bottle Street was delivered by post.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

It was not easy for Mark to find Green Bottle Street.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

All the houses in Green Bottle Street were painted green.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The old woman suggested that Mark could rent a room in Green Bottle Street.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mark registered Green Bottle Street and gave it an index code.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Sir Christopher Wren

 

Sir Christopher Wren was a designer, astronomer, geometer, and one of the greatest English architects of his time.

 

Christopher Wren was born into a rich family in 1632 . He was a weak and sickly child and was taught at home by private tutors and his father. Wren’s schooling is a mystery: there are no documents about whether he attended school or not. However, there is a written evidence that he entered Oxford University in 1650 to study science and mathematics.

 

    On graduating from university, Wren was appointed Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, London. He was required to give weekly lectures in both Latin and English to all who wished to attend; admission was free. His lectures and the following discussions led to establishing the Royal Society, England’s first scientific organization.

 

Later, Christopher Wren taught at Oxford University. His scientific work included astronomy, optics, mechanics, medicine and meteorology. He invented and improved lots of things. He experimented with submarine design, road paving, and design of telescopes. It was also around these times that his attention turned to architecture.

 

In Wren's time, the profession of an architect did not exist. In the past, buildings had been constructed to the requirements of the patron and the suggestions of building professionals, such as master carpenters or master bricklayers. Since the early years of the 17th century, it was not unusual for the well-educated gentleman to take up architecture as a hobby. Wren designed 51 London churches, including St Paul’s Cathedral, and several buildings after the Great Fire in 1666. Each church was different, though all were classical in style. He insisted on the finest materials and only skillful workers were hired for the job. Christopher Wren became a knight in 1673.

 

Actually, St Paul’s Cathedral is still Wren's masterpiece. The architectural style of St Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful mix of the Medieval, Classical, and Baroque. The inside of St Paul’s Cathedral is gorgeous. The foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid in 1675 when Wren was 43 years old, and the last stone was put in place by his son, 35 years later.

 

Nowadays, St Paul’s Cathedral is the largest working Protestant church in England. Services are held regularly. Important events at the Cathedral have included the funerals of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill, Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria, peace services marking the end of the First and the Second World Wars and, most recently, the thanksgiving services for both the Golden Jubilee and 80th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

 

Wren died on 25th February 1723. His gravestone in St Paul’s Cathedral features a Latin inscription which translates as: 'If you seek his memorial, look about you.'

 

Christopher Wren was named after his father.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

There is no proof that Christopher Wren studied at Oxford University.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Christopher Wren’s lectures were popular with students.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Christopher Wren’s scientific interests were in different spheres.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The profession of an architect was very popular in the 17th century.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Christopher Wren was demanding when choosing materials and builders.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

At present, St Paul’s Cathedral works only as a historical museum.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Sir Christopher Wren is buried in St Paul’s Cathedral.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Florence Nightingale

 

Florence Nightingale was a celebrated English nurse and writer. According to a survey, British people consider her to be one of the most famous British persons along with outstanding scientists, writers and politicians.

 

She was born into a rich, upper-class family in 1820, in Italy. She got her name Florence after the city of her birth, as there was a tradition in her family to name the children in honour of the city they were born in. She got an all-round education and according to the family’s status Florence was expected to become a faithful wife and attentive mother.

 

However, in 1844 Florence decided to become a nurse, despite the intense anger and distress of her mother and sister. At that time nursing was seen as a job that needed neither education nor special medical skills.

 

In 1854 the Crimean War broke out and Florence Nightingale offered her services to the War Office and soon left for the Crimea with thirty-eight volunteer nurses. They began their work in the main British camp, in the hospital. Very soon Florence found out that hygiene was neglected, and fatal infections were common. There was no equipment to cook proper food for the patients. Florence decided to change the situation.

 

Nightingale managed to found a vast kitchen and a laundry. In addition to her nursing work, she tried to organize reading and recreation rooms for the wounded soldiers. She was on her feet for twenty hours a day and so were the other nurses. Florence was called ‘The Lady with the Lamp’ for her habit of making rounds round the hospital at night. She checked on her helpless patients.

 

Florence remained in the Crimea until 1856, then she returned to England.

 

In London Florence Nightingale visited Queen Victoria and persuaded the Queen of the need to create a military hospital system. Soon Florence Nightingale set up a training school for nurses, the first nursing school in the world. It is now called The Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery and is part of King's College in London. The annual International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on Florence’s birthday, the 12th of May.

 

In the Crimea camp, Nightingale got ‘Crimean fever’ and never fully recovered. By the time she was 38 years old, she was seriously ill. She left her house very rarely and had to stay in bed most of the time. Nevertheless, Florence continued her work from her bed. She wrote many books, some of them became the base of the curriculum at the Nightingale School and other British nursing schools.

 

Florence Nightingale died in London in 1910, at the age of ninety. The government offered to bury Florence in Westminster Abbey, but her relatives did not agree. However, the memorial service took place in St. Paul's Cathedral.

 

Florence Nightingale received a lot of honorable awards. Several books were written about the life of ‘The Lady with the Lamp’ and a few films were shot about her. 

 

Florence Nightingale was named in honour of her birthplace.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Florence’s family approved of her wish to become a nurse.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Medical education was essential to become a nurse in the 19th century.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Florence Nightingale cooked for the wounded herself.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Florence Nightingale got her nickname because she often visited the wounded at night.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Queen Victoria was impressed by Florence Nightingale’s work.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Florence Nightingale’s school for nurses was closed after her death.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Florence Nightingale was buried in Westminster Abbey.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

A Christmas Story

 

It happened a few days before Christmas. John and Alice were on their way home from visiting their daughter at college. The drive was long and exhausting. Alice was thinking about the money they had given for their daughter’s last semester. It was a big sum for their family. Alice realized that they had no money for the next semester fee. She was in despair.  

 

On their way home they stopped at a small town market. Alice got out of the car to walk a little. Suddenly an old woman approached her. She asked Alice to buy an old brass teapot*. Alice took the heavy teapot and gave the woman the money that she had asked for.

 

    Alice, got into the car and placed the teapot on the back seat. She didn’t need the teapot, but she could not refuse the old woman. The car set off and the rest of the way John and Alice argued about the money. John was angry with Alice because of her last purchase.

 

John’s arguments were powerful. The family’s budget was not at all promising. They had a lot of electric and gas bills to pay. What’s more, they had recently bought a new refrigerator. And the college fee ate up a good part of their budget. Alice kept silent.

 

When they arrived home, Alice decided to make tea. She found out that their electric tea kettle was broken and put the new brass teapot on the stove. When the tea was getting ready, they heard a door bell. It was Mr. Ramson, their neighbour. The old man lived alone and there were no relatives and friends to support him in town.

 

Alice invited Mr. Ramson in for some tea. At the table Mr. Ramson asked Alice and John if they could lend him some money. His only granddaughter, whom he loved dearly, lived far away and he wanted to visit her for the coming Christmas. Alice sighed but John, suddenly, nodded his head in agreement. Mr. Ransom thanked John and went home happy.

 

Alice was alone in the kitchen washing up after tea. She was thinking how to cut down their expenses if they gave the money to the old man. Suddenly she heard a sound of something dropping into the teapot. Alice took the teapot and, to her great surprise, she found two £50 notes inside. She called John to ask if he had by mistake dropped them into the teapot. John looked at her in surprise but answered that he had not.

 

At that moment Alice knew what to do. She removed the banknotes from the teapot and ran to Mr. Ramson.

 

When she came home, John smiled and gave her a warm kiss. The same dropping sound repeated. It came from the teapot. When Alice opened the top, she found a banknote inside. Christmas Magic! They could not understand how it worked, but the teapot produced some banknotes every time they were kind to each other and helped people around.

 

They put the brass teapot on the shelf in the kitchen and never used it for making tea. When their daughter came for Christmas, she could hardly recognize the house. The furniture was the same, but the house looked warmer and cozier than before. Her parents did not argue about money any more.

 

When she asked where the money for her education had come from, they said it was a Christmas present from old Mr. Ramson.

 

*A brass teapot – медный чайник

Alice was upset because they had failed to pay for her daughter’s studies.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The old woman gave the brass teapot to Alice as a present.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

In the car Alice and John had a quarrel over the brass teapot.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

At home Alice made tea in her new brass teapot.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Mr. Rampson’s granddaughter visited him last Christmas.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Alice found some money in the teapot.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The brass teapot worked wonders only during Christmas.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Alice and John gave the brass teapot to Old Mr. Ramson.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The С rown Jewels

 

Every year, millions of visitors come to the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels*. The Crown Jewels have been kept in the Tower since 1303 after they were stolen from Westminster Abbey. Luckily, that time most of the Crown Jewels were found shortly afterwards and put in the Tower.

 

Although there have been a few attempts to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower, none of them have succeeded. But the name of one of the thieves has remained in the British history. He was Thomas Blood.

 

    On the 9th May, 1660, Thomas Blood, dressed as a priest, came to the Tower. He came with three well-dressed young men.

 

Thomas Blood had already been to the Tower a few days earlier. He was with a woman whom he introduced as his ‘wife’. When they were walking round the Tower, the ‘wife’ pretended to feel unwell and fainted. Talbert Edwards, who was Master of the Jewel House and lived in the Jewel House with his family, took the woman upstairs to his family’s rooms. He also asked his wife to help the fainted lady. In an hour or so the lady felt better and left the Tower with her ‘husband’.

 

On the second visit, Thomas Blood, again dressed as a priest, brought a present for Edwards' wife for her help and attention to his ‘wife’. He gained the confidence of the Master of the Jewel House, Talbot Edwards, and asked him to show the Crown Jewels to his friends. Talbot Edwards agreed and took them to the room where the Crown Jewels were kept. Suddenly Blood took out a hammer from under his priest’s dress and struck the Master on the head. Talbert Edwards fell down and fainted. Thomas Blood took the king's crown and made it flat with the hammer in order to put the crown into a large pocket of his priest dress. The other three men took other royal jewels and hid them in their pockets.

 

By chance, Talbert Edwards’ son, Wythe, arrived at the Tower earlier than expected. He found his father lying unconscious and bleeding. Wythe raised the alarm. Though Thomas Blood and his gang had left the jewel room, they were caught when they were getting out of the Tower. The broken crown and the jewels were found with them.

 

A report was immediately sent to the king, and Charles II sent for Thomas Blood. The king wanted to talk to the thief who had done such a wicked crime. The end of the story is unbelievable. Thomas Blood was not punished. Moreover, Blood was awarded a pension of £500 a year. At the same time the Master of the Jewel House Talbot Edwards was dismissed for his carelessness. Later, he died in misery.

 

Since Thomas Blood's attempt in 1600 up to the present date, there have been no attempts to steal the jewels. Nowadays the priceless collection is open for the public to view and the Crown Jewels are considered to be the most well-guarded treasures in the world. They are kept in the Tower and are guarded by the Yeomen Warders, commonly known as the Beefeaters.

 

* the Crown Jewels – драгоценности из королевской казны

 

 British kings and queens use the Crown Jewels for ceremonial events.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Thomas Blood’s crime was well-planned.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Talbert Edwards allowed Thomas Blood and his friends to have a look at the Crown Jewels.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Thomas Blood damaged the crown to take it out.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The criminals were found the next day after the robbery.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

King Charles II punished Thomas Blood severely.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Thomas Blood promised King Charles II to stop stealing forever.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

After Thomas Blood, other criminals tried to steal the Crown Jewels.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

55. The Great Plague* of London

 

The Black Death arrived in Europe by sea in October 1347 when 12 trading ships came to an Italian port after a long voyage across the Black Sea. A crowd of people gathered on the docks to greet the ships. Soon the smiles changed into a horrifying surprise. Most of the sailors aboard the ships were dead, and those who were still alive were fatally ill. They had a high temperature, couldn’t eat and suffered from pain. The sailors were covered in black swellings which gave their illness its name: the Black Death. The Italian authorities made the ‘death ships’ and their sailors leave the port, but it was too late. Over the next five years, the mysterious Black Death (or the plague) would kill almost one-third of the European population.

 

The Black Death first appeared in Britain in 1348. Since that time the British islands were never totally free of plague.

 

 In the year 1665 the Black Death came to the city of London, even though King Charles II had tried to prevent the epidemic of plague and had forbidden any trade with Holland, where there was a great plague epidemic. Despite the safety measures, in the early spring of 1665 thousands of people died in the poor parts of London. At first the government didn’t pay much attention to this fact. But as the spring turned into a hot summer, the number of deaths rose and panic set in.

 

The rich aristocracy and royal family left the capital for their houses in the country. They were followed by the merchants, and the lawyers. By June the roads were full with people who wanted to escape London. The Lord Mayor ordered to close the city gates to anyone who did not have a certificate of health. By mid July over 1,000 deaths per week were reported in the city. It was said that dogs and cats spread the disease. By the Lord Mayor’s order, more than 40,000 dogs and 200,000 cats were killed in London. The real effect of this was that the population of the rats, who were the plague carriers, increased. The Black Death began to spread more rapidly.

    Anyone who was in constant contact with plague victims, such as doctors, nurses and inspectors, had to carry coloured sticks outdoors so that they could be easily seen and avoided. When one person in a house caught the plague, the house was closed until 40 days after the victim had either recovered or died (usually the latter). The members of the family were not allowed to leave the house either. Special guards were put at the door to see that no one got out.

 

Throughout the summer the death rate grew till it reached 6,000 people per week in August. From there the disease very slowly went down until the winter. However, King Charles II decided that it was safe to return to the capital only in February of 1666. How many died? It is hard to say. It was said that 100,000 people had died in and around London, though the figure may have been much higher. The Black Death was the worst and the last of the epidemics in Great Britain.

 

*a plague - чума

 

The Italian authorities allowed the sick sailors to stay in the town.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Each of the ‘death ships’ had a doctor on board.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

King Charles II made attempts to stop the plague.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

To get health certificates, people had to pay a lot of money.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The plague epidemic began to slow down when the city got rid of the cats and dogs.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The members of the family with a sick person had to leave London as soon as possible.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

August was the peak of the plague epidemic.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

There is no documentary evidence about the exact number of people who were killed by the plague.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Lewis Carroll

 

Lewis Carroll was the pen-name of Charles Dodgson, an English writer and the author of two of the best loved children's books in English Literature – 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and

'Through the Looking Glass'. The characters and phrases from these books have entered and become part of the English culture, so if someone calls you 'Mad as a Hatter', you know whom to thank.

 

Charles Dodgson was talented in many ways. Apart from being a creative writer, he was also a Mathematics Don (professor) at Oxford and a well-known logician. He was interested in photography and music. He sang very well, played chess and enjoyed creating and solving puzzles.

 

Charles Dodgson was born on 27 January 1832 and spent the first eleven years of his life at Warrington, Cheshire where his father was the priest. His family was large; his parents had 11 children, 4 boys and 7 girls.

 

Charles was educated first by home-schooling, then at two boarding schools, and finally at Christ Church College, Oxford. Later in life, he remembered his boarding school experience without any warm feelings. Still, he was an excellent student and studied very well in all his subjects.

 

In 1854 Charles Dodgson got a 1st class degree in Mathematics and one year later he became a lecturer in Mathematics at Christ Church College. It was then that he started his literary career and took his pen-name, Lewis Carroll. While his creative books and poetry were published under his pen-name, he also wrote books on Mathematics under his own name.

 

When a new Headmaster arrived at Christ Church College, he brought with him his family. Dodgson became the family’s close friend. The Headmaster’s little daughters, the youngest of which was called Alice, enjoyed his company very much. Charles often entertained the girls by telling them stories about imaginary worlds with fantastic creatures.

 

The story about the adventures of little Alice became popular all over the world. ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is primarily a children’s story, but adults have enjoyed the novel for over a century together with children.

 

Many elements of ‘Alice’ were not completely new. Talking animals, for instance, or the story idea in which a child or children are carried away from reality into a fantasy world. However, it was Carroll who established a new motif that would be used again and again in children’s literature: Peter Pan, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Narnia books, and the Harry Potter books. That is the possibility for the main characters to travel back and forth between the real world and wonderland.

 

Though his characters travelled a lot between one world and another, Charles Dodgson himself didn’t like being away from home. The only occasion on which (as far as it is known) he went abroad was a trip to Russia in 1867.

 

He died of pneumonia on 14 January 1898 at his sisters' home. He was 2 weeks away from turning 66.

 

 

Charles Dodgson was a brother of the famous English writer Lewis Carroll.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

Charles Dodgson had different hobbies.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

Charles Dodgson was the oldest child in the family.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Charles Dodgson enjoyed his years in the boarding schools very much.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Charles Dodgson was a good mathematician.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Charles Dodgson invented fantastic stories for his friend’s daughters.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Charles Dodgson’s children enjoyed reading his books about Alice.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Charles Dodgson travelled a lot around the world.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mark Twain

 

Mark Twain wrote ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ in 1884. Since then, the book has been published in at least sixty languages, and some people say it is the best book ever created by an American writer. American students have ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ on their school reading list and parents, teachers and literary experts still debate the problems touched in the book.

 

The writer’s real name was Samuel Clemens. Samuel was born in 1835. He grew up in the state of Missouri on the Mississippi River. After his father died, young Samuel went to work as an assistant to a publisher. Ten years later, he became a pilot on a steamboat that sailed on the Mississippi. He heard the riverboat workers call out the words "mark twain!" That was a measure for the depth of water. Later he used this word combination as a pen-name.

 

In 1861 Clemens travelled west and became a reporter for newspapers in Nevada and California. He wrote news stories, editorials and sketches under his pen-name Mark Twain. He became one of the best known storytellers in the West. He developed his own narrative style – friendly, funny, and often satirical, which won him a wide audience. The first success came with the story ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’.

 

Mark Twain travelled a lot during his lifetime not only round the USA but also to Europe and the Holy Land. He naturally began writing books about his travels. ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ was published in 1876, and soon after he began writing a sequel, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’.

 

It took Mark Twain longer to write ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ than any of his other books. He started writing in 1876, but put the story away after about two years of work. He returned to it in 1883, and the following year it was published.

 

From the beginning, the book was strongly debated. Some critics praised its realism and honesty, but the others strongly disliked it. They protested against the personality of Huck – a

rough, dirty and disobedient boy. They could not agree that such a person should be the main character of a book. What's more, critics disliked the way Mark Twain used the language of a common, uneducated person to tell the story; no writer had ever done that before.

 

Today there is no longer any debate about the importance of ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ in American literature. In 1935 Ernest Hemingway wrote: "All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called 'Huckleberry Finn.' There was nothing before. And there has been nothing as good since."

 

No wonder then that the novel ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ was a great inspiration for film producers – more than 20 screen versions of the book have been shot not only in America,

but also in Europe, Russia and Japan. There are feature films, musicals, cartoons and even Japanese anime.

 

‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ was Mark Twain’s last book.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The writer took his pen-name when working as an assistant to a publisher.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Samuel Clemens enjoyed his job as a steam boat pilot.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mark Twain’s stories became popular due to his manner of writing.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

It took Mark Twain two years to write ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Literary critics expressed different opinions of ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Ernest Hemingway strongly criticised ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The novel ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ has been made into a movie in different countries.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

The will

 

One day young William was called to a lawyer’s office. The lawyer announced that William’s uncle had left him a thousand dollars. He also added that William was required to give the lawyer a report of how he used the money as soon as he spent it. That was his uncle’s last wish.

 

William promised to follow his uncle’s wish and went straight to his club. He looked for Bryson, a calm wise man of about forty, who was sitting in a corner reading a book. When William told him about the contents of the will, Bryson did not seem at all surprised. He only remarked that the uncle was worth about half a million.

 

William told Bryson that his uncle had left a lot of money to charity while his servants had received only ten dollars each. There was one more person mentioned in the will, Miss Hayden, a distant relative who lived in the uncle’s house. She was a quiet, musical girl and the dearest woman in the world to William. William had been in love with her for two years but he had never told her about his feelings.

 

William had no idea how to spend a thousand dollars and he hated making the report. He had a feeling that his uncle was making fun of him.

 

In the street William saw a blind man selling pencils. William went up to him and asked him what he would do with the money. The blind man shrugged his shoulders and said that he had never seen such a huge amount of money and therefore had never had the problem of spending such a sum. William bought all his pencils and gave him ten dollars above the asking price.

 

William was walking down the empty street when he had an idea.

 

He got into a cab and went to his uncle’s house where Miss Hayden lived. He found her, sad and beautiful, writing letters in the library. William knew that like the servants she had received nothing from his uncle but ten dollars. So he said that there was an addition to his uncle’s will that allowed her to have a thousand dollars and he gave her the money there and then. Miss Hayden turned white, took the banknotes and put them in the drawer of the writing desk. Then she quietly thanked William and gave him a shy smile.

 

In excitement William went back to the lawyer’s office, ready to hand over the report. Suddenly the lawyer took out another document which had been given to him by William’s uncle and started reading. It said that in the case that William spent the money wisely, he was to receive another fifty thousand dollars. On the contrary, if he had spent it in a foolish way, the fifty thousand would go to Miss Hayden.

 

Smiling brightly, William destroyed the report and said he had lost a thousand dollars on the races. William realised that he was going to lose much more than that, but he felt happy about it.

 

 

William came to the lawyer’s office to make a report about his money.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Bryson was a friend of William’s uncle.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

William’s uncle left all his money to his servants.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Miss Hayden arrived at the uncle’s house two years ago.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

William asked the blind man for advice.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

William told Miss Hayden a lie about his uncle’s will.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Miss Hayden refused to take the money offered by William.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

William made Miss Hayden a rich woman.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The Isle of Man

 

In the Irish Sea about 20 miles away from the UK you will find a beautiful island. This is the Isle of Man. The people of the island are called Manx and they speak the Manx language. The island occupies a mid-point in the Irish Sea and the British Isles – right between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

 

The scenery of the Isle is varied. There are ranges of hills with green valleys between them, there are sandy beaches in the north which contrast with the rocky cliffs along the coasts. The island's only mountain is slightly over 600 metres high. An old legend says that from its top on clear days you can see six kingdoms: the island itself, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales and Heaven.

 

The Isle of Man has the oldest parliament in the world. It is called the Tynwald and it has met regularly since 979. The Tynwald usually meets in the capital of the country. However, for one day every summer the Manx parliament gathers in a small village to celebrate Tynwald Day. It is the only day of the year when parliament is held in the open air. On this day government officials read a summary of all the laws that have been passed during the year in both the English and the Manx languages. There is entertainment before and after the ceremony and it is a real community event. In addition to that, an open air market is organised and different concerts are held in the evening. At the conclusion, the Manx national anthem is played and there is a firework display.

 

Another thing that attracts tourists to the Isle of Man is its rich and unique culture. Any visitor to the island will be particularly fascinated by the legends, folklore and the ancient traditions that are still kept alive today. Most tourists are happy to participate in the folk programmes.

 

In Manx mythology, the island’s name comes from the name of a Celtic sea god. He ruled the kingdom and protected the land from invaders by covering the island with mist and thick fog. The island is also reputedly home to fairies who are very special. The Manx fairies are described as small and human-like. They wear red caps and green jackets and are naughty and wicked.

 

There's even a bridge called Fairy Bridge. Those who cross it are advised to say ‘hello fairies’ in order to get good fortune. If the person doesn’t greet the fairies, the fairies will become angry with him and may play a nasty trick on him. Some people go further in trying to pay their respects to the ‘little people’. They do not just simply say hello, they also leave messages and gifts at the side of the road.

 

If you love reading about King Arthur and his knights, then a must-see place is Peel Castle. It was constructed in the 11th century by the Vikings and has a fascinating history. It is believed that Peel Castle was the location of Avalon –

– the legendary island where King Arthur’s sword was

made and where King Arthur was taken after being wounded.

 

 

In the past, the Isle of Man was an independent state.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The island’s landscape looks all the same everywhere.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

On Tynwald Day the Manx parliament has a day off.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Visitors to the island can take part in the Manx folk festivals.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The island was named in honour of one of the Manx kings.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

According to Manx beliefs, ignoring the fairies can cause trouble.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

King Arthur was born on the Isle of Man.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Peel Castle was built by the Vikings.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Running the Thames

 

Three friends Alan, Tom and Martin decided to run 184 miles along the most famous British river – from the beginning of the Thames down to its mouth, where the river runs into the sea.

 

Their preparations for the marathon didn’t take long and they set out. It was not easy to find the place marked on the map as the official source of the river Thames. In reality, it was an old stone under a big tree. Surprisingly, there was practically no water at the source, just a small pit. However, at the end of the first day they came to a narrow stream running under a wooden bridge.

 

The runners were lucky with the weather; it was cool and bright for the whole week. Soft winds blew and the sun shone. In spite of the weather, the start of the marathon was not very promising. On the first day, Martin accidentally fell over a tree root and hurt his foot. In addition to that, Alan said he had damaged his rucksack during their preparation. However, the friends went on running.

 

They passed lovely houses and some wonderful nature. The Thames had grown from a small river into a strong stream. Hypnotised by the view of the river, Tom missed the path and fell into the mud. Cold and angry, he was a real trouble the first day. In the evening, the runners reached the point where the river became possible to navigate. The friends were so tired that they stopped at a cheap hotel for food, drink and sleep.

 

The second day they ran along arched stone bridges and through forty-five river locks1, each one having its own history. The runners stopped at the first lock to take a photo by the 19th century statue of Old Father Thames. The other locks and the bridges, dating from the 13th century, could have told much about British royal families, writers and inventors, battles and victories. So the runners spent the second day exploring the locks and the old bridges and taking photos.

 

The next few days Alan, Tom and Martin ran through quiet and peaceful places in Oxfordshire. The calm river occupied all their thoughts and they left their troubles behind them. They spent nights at small Bed-and-Breakfasts with unusual foreign guests who were discovering the old British towns, castles and churches.

 

Closer to London the Thames changed its character. It became wide and busy with numerous boats and ships. The banks were full of grand houses with green lawns, street markets and modern walkways.

 

On the seventh day the runners followed the river as it cut the capital in two. The friends made their way past famous London sights such as The Tower, The London Eye and Greenwich.

 

 

Finally the friends got to The Thames Barrier, where the river ran into the sea. The marathon was over.

 

____________________________________

 

 

1 River locks – шлюзы на реке

 

 

The friends wanted to run from the mouth of the Thames to its start.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

There was a natural mark which indicated the start of the river Thames.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

During the marathon the weather was fine.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

After the accident with Martin’s leg, Tom carried his rucksack.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The friends spent all their nights in the tent.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The friends learnt lots of historical facts from the lock-keepers.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Near London the Thames was closed to navigation.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Their marathon route went through the centre of London.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Christmas Tree Memories

 

My name is Ted. I grew up in the 50s, but my childhood memories are still alive. The most pleasant of them is the family Christmas tree. Besides my mum and dad, there were five children in the family. We all took part in decorating the Christmas tree, one way or another. It was a special time for me as dad took us for a trip to the winter forest.

 

The experience was special as only boys were allowed to go to the countryside to pick out the tree. At the age of five I felt proud to be in a man’s adventure. I remember walking through the forest with dad looking for the perfect, large tree. We had a tall ceiling in the living room, so a small tree did not look right there.

 

At the age of five, even a small tree seemed great to me. To measure a tree I raised my hands above my head and looked up. If I could reach the top of the tree I thought it was big enough. Dad, however, always chose the perfect tree very carefully.

 

Once he had made his choice, he took out an axe to cut down the tree. I wanted to help my dad and brothers, but they always told me to stand back. When the cutting began, I tried to hold the tree up. I was afraid the tree would fall on them and I felt strong enough to hold it.

 

After the tree was down we took it to the car and went back home. I don’t remember how we got that large tree through the door, but it was always right. Then dad got the tree to stand up and we could start the decorating. The tree, the boxes with decorations and a tall ladder took up the whole room.

 

All the family took part as mum gave everyone a task. I had to pass the decorations. What I liked best about the Christmas tree was the lights. After everybody else had left I stayed in the room and watched the lights travelling up and down the Christmas tree.

 

Dad had one more special job that day. Mum took her favourite ornament, a lighted angel, which she had got as a present from her family. Dad climbed up the ladder and fixed the angel at the top of the Christmas tree. When I looked at the angel, I thought Santa was close to my house.

 

Everyone was ready to celebrate Christmas. The decorated shining tree was so big that it nearly touched the ceiling. I felt I was a small part of a big adventure. The last few years we lived in that house the trips to the forest with dad ceased. We bought an artificial tree instead.

 

 

Ted’s family had a tradition of decorating the Christmas tree together.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

When Ted’s father went to choose their Christmas tree, Ted stayed at home.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Ted’s family lived in a small town.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Ted’s father always chose a tall tree for Christmas.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Ted’s mother preferred the Christmas decorations created by her children.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

A lighted angel was Ted’s favourite Christmas decoration.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

There was a star on the top of the Christmas tree in Ted’s house.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Finally the family stopped having a live Christmas tree.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The Santa Claus Wait

 

Christmas Eve is a special time for children. Every year they wait for their presents from Santa Claus. Magic is everywhere in Tim and Robert’s house which is decorated with greeting cards, candles and lights. The sweet smell of Mum’s homemade cookies also brings to mind the coming wonders.

 

Throughout the month before Christmas Tim and his brother Robert regularly made their beds, set the table and followed their parents’ instructions about the house. As usual, each of them wrote a letter to Santa to ask for a toy. They knew Santa wouldn’t visit naughty children.

 

The same thing happened each year until the brothers were nine. They suddenly began to doubt that Santa could decorate their tree and millions more trees in a single night. It also seemed hard for Santa to deliver all the gifts before daybreak. Besides, they kept asking Dad how Santa could get inside their house without a chimney!

 

Dad usually answered that Santa would surely come, but that the children should be good and go to bed early. So on Christmas Eve, after Mum had checked that there was enough food left for Santa, the boys were sent to bed as usual. Robert was soon asleep, but Tim silently lay in bed, hoping to hear Santa coming. It seemed the longest night of Tim’s life.

 

In the early morning, when the other members of the family were still asleep, Tim bravely went to the living room to check for presents from Santa. When he switched on the light, he cried “Wow! He’s come!” In the room the Christmas tree stood in the middle of a big platform that looked like a small town with a toy railroad. It was unbelievable: a toy wonderland!

 

Tim spent an hour among the toys and then decided to wake up Robert and his parents to see the presents. While running upstairs he saw that the cookies had disappeared. In excitement he went into his parents’ bedroom but didn’t notice that they seemed a little bit more tired than usual.

 

“Mum! Dad! Quick! Robert! It’s fantastic!” he shouted. Everybody went down. Robert immediately saw his new car. It was wonderful. Poor Robert was upset because the car wouldn’t run. Dad said he couldn't understand why the car wouldn't start. The batteries in the car had been absolutely new.

 

He didn’t know Tim had turned on the car and had forgotten about it when he was checking out other gifts earlier. Within that hour the batteries died, in those times they didn't last long. Tim kept silent as he didn’t want to be punished on Christmas Day.

 

 

 

Tim was the only child in the family.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Tim got good marks at school before Christmas.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Tim had never believed that Santa existed.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

On Christmas Day, Tim’s father usually dressed up like Santa.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Tim was the first to get up on Christmas Day.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Some tasty things were left for Santa on that Christmas night.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

There were presents for the parents under the Christmas tree.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Tim told his father that he had damaged the car.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

A Model Millionaire

 

    Hugh Erskine was a charming young man, with brown hair and a clear-cut profile. After his father’s death, he inherited only an old cavalry sword and fifteen war books. To earn his living, Hugh had tried selling tea, then working at the stock exchange, but hadn’t succeeded. He had to live on the little money he managed to earn. It was no more than a few hundred pounds.

 

    To make matters worse he fell in love with Laura Merton. Hugh won Laura’s affection and they were the nicest couple in London. Laura’s father was very fond of Hugh, however, he said he could only let his daughter marry Hugh when the young man got ten thousand pounds. It was an enormous sum for Hugh.

 

    One morning, on his way to Laura’s house, Hugh dropped in to see a great friend of his, Alan Trevor. Alan was a brilliant artist: a real master. His paintings were wonderful and sold very successfully.        

 

When Hugh came in, he found Trevor finishing a life-size picture of a beggar-man. The beggar himself was standing on a platform in the corner of the studio. He was an elderly person, with a miserable expression on his face and poor, torn clothes over his body. He was an amazing model, absolutely different from Alan’s other models!

 

Trevor told Hugh that he paid the model a shilling an hour. Hugh said that the pay was unfair because the painter would get at least a thousand pounds for the picture. Hugh was sure that the model should be paid more for standing all day long in the studio. But Alan only smiled back. When Trevor went out for a moment, Hugh gave the beggar the only sovereign he had in his pocket. The old man smiled mysteriously and thanked Hugh.

 

The next day Hugh met Alan Trevor in the club. Trevor confessed that the beggar was Baron Hausberg, the richest man in London, and Trevor’s great friend. He bought many of his pictures and that day he had asked to paint him in beggar’s clothes. Trevor also said that he had told Baron about Hugh’s love and money problems.

 

“And I gave him a sovereign!” Hugh cried out, red with shame. Trevor continued laughing loudly. He added that Baron Hausberg was in high spirits after Hugh had left and was rubbing his hands together. Nevertheless, Hugh was so unhappy that he asked Trevor not to tell the story to anyone else and left the club.

 

The next morning the servant brought Hugh a visiting card. The visitor, an old man in golden spectacles, was from Baron Hausberg. As he came into the room, Hugh expressed sincere apologies to the Baron. Instead the man handed Hugh an envelope. On the outside it was written, ‘A wedding present to Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton, from an old beggar’.

 

Hugh opened the envelope. Inside, there was a cheque for ten thousand pounds.

 

Hugh inherited a few hundred pounds from his father.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Money was a necessary condition for Hugh’s marriage.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Alan Trevor was a world famous painter. 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

During Hugh’s visit, Trevor was painting an old man.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

In Hugh’s opinion, Alan Trevor paid his model enough money for his work.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Baron Hausberg was a talented artist himself.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Hugh told Baron Hausberg his love story.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Baron Hausberg sent the money to Hugh by post.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

A Desperate Adventure

 

Captain Cowgill had always wanted to arrange a hot-air balloon expedition. One day, he placed an announcement in all the morning papers. He wrote that he needed three people who wanted to take a risky adventure. Ten people came to his office and Captain Cowgill selected three of them: two men and a young lady.

 

The first volunteer was Mr. Crutter, a well-dressed man of about sixty. He looked depressed and unhappy. The second one was a doctor, Dr. Hagan, a sad thin gentleman. The third adventurer, Miss Dermott, looked slim and miserable. They were ready to fly in the balloon in spite of the risks. Though Captain Cowgill hoped for success, there was a great chance that the participants wouldn’t come back.

 

The next day, the balloon was ready for the journey. They had some food and the gas equipment. It was supposed that the travellers would fly during the day and then land for the night. Right before the take-off, a young man ran up to Captain Cowgill and begged to let him join the expedition. Captain Cowgill listened to his arguments and let the young man, Mr. Winden, fly too.

 

With the last farewell to Captain Cowgill, the balloon went sailing towards the clouds. At first the travellers said nothing. An hour later they found the journey exciting. Two hours later they revealed their reasons for coming on the dangerous flight.

 

Mr. Crutter said that he had been cheated by his partners and had lost a large part of his business. Though he had enough money left, he felt extremely depressed. Dr. Hagan told the travellers that he had lost his job in a hospital. He felt lonely and unwanted. Miss Dermott said that she suffered from a serious disease and had no money for treatment. Mr. Winden had just split up with his girlfriend and was ready to die.  

 

In the evening, the travellers decided to take a rest. They landed in a deserted place and tied the balloon to a tree. After supper they continued talking about their unhappy fates. Suddenly, Mr. Crutter offered to share his money with his new friends. Dr. Hagan smiled and looked at Miss Dermont. “I think I can cure you, Miss Dermott,” he said. “I have already had patients with the same diagnosis.” Miss Diamont smiled. But it wasn’t the last surprise. Mr. Winden proposed to Miss Diamont saying that he had fallen in love at first sight. She shyly promised to think it over. 

 

The talk raised their spirits and, in the morning, everybody decided to go back home. Now when all their problems were happily solved, they didn’t want to go anywhere. Suddenly Miss Dermott cried out pointing to a distant object in the sky. It was their balloon that had broken loose while they were having breakfast. Nobody felt upset!

 

The group decided to walk to the nearest railway station. Mr. Crutter bought tickets for his new friends and they sent Captain Cowgill a telegram. It said that the balloon had flown away accidentally, their expedition had failed and they would arrive in town the next day.

 

Captain Cowgill tried to find the participants for his project using an advert.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Captain Cowgill couldn’t take part in the expedition for health reasons.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The balloon took off with four travellers on board.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

During the flight, the travellers kept their reasons for going on the expedition in secret.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

All the travellers had the similar troubles in life.

          1)True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

After the first day of the flight, the travellers decided to stop the expedition.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

In the morning the travellers sold the balloon to buy their tickets home.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Captain Cowgill got angry when he got the telegram.

          1) True

          2)False

          3) Not stated

 

 

The Open Window

 

    Mr. Nuttel, a young gentleman, came to live in the country. The doctors said a quiet place like that and complete rest could help cure his nerves. He didn’t know anyone round there and was too shy to make new acquaintances. That’s why his sister gave him letters of introduction to some nice people she knew.

 

    One of the letters was to Mrs. Sappleton. When Mr. Nuttel visited her, Mrs Sappleton was busy and he was asked to wait for several minutes. The servant invited Mr. Nuttel into a room. There Mr. Nuttel met Mrs. Sappleton’s niece, a very self-confident young lady of fifteen. The young gentleman was very shy and he didn’t know how to start the conversation. The young lady broke the silence and asked him what he knew about her aunt. Mr. Nuttel knew nothing except Mrs. Sappleton’s name and address.

 

    Mr. Nuttel looked around. There was something about the room that told him there were other people living in the house. So he was wondering if Mrs. Sappleton was married. Suddenly the girl got sad and told a story of Mrs. Sappleton’s tragedy. Mr. Nuttel was greatly surprised because his sister hadn’t told him anything about it. The tragedy was very unusual for that peaceful place.

 

    The girl pointed at the French window, which opened on to the lawn and said that Mrs. Sappleton always kept it open. Mr. Nuttel stated that it was natural to keep the window open because the weather was quite warm. But the girl sighed and explained that her poor aunt always kept the window open in the evenings because she was waiting for her husband and sons to return. Three years ago they had gone hunting and never came back. The story caught Mr. Nuttel’s imagination deeply. He felt very upset.

 

    He felt a little better only when Mrs. Sappleton finally appeared in the room. She apologized for being late and asked if he minded the open window. She said her husband and sons would soon be home from hunting. They always came in that way. Then, she continued talking cheerfully about hunting ducks. But Mr. Nuttel felt terrible.

 

    He made an attempt to change the topic and told her about the reasons why he had come to the country. But Mrs. Sappleton didn’t seem to notice. She was constantly looking at the open window. Mr. Nuttel felt uncomfortable. He understood that he had chosen the wrong moment to visit her. Suddenly Mrs. Sappleton cried happily pointing at the window, “Here they are at last, just in time for tea!” Three male figures were walking across the lawn towards the window. They carried guns and a dog followed them.

 

    Shocked and afraid, Mr. Nuttel grabbed his stick and hat and rushed out of the house. Mrs. Sappleton was extremely surprised at the extraordinary man who had left the house so quickly without a word. Her niece suggested that it was because of the dog. She said that Mr. Nuttel had been afraid of them since childhood – once, a dog had seriously bitten him. This was enough to make the young man lose his nerve. The young lady was so good at making up stories!

 

Mr. Nuttel came to the village to improve his health.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mr. Nuttel was an old friend of Mrs. Sappleton.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

According to the girl, a great tragedy had happened in her aunt’s family three years before.

            1) True

          2)False

          3) Not stated

 

Mrs. Sappleton’s niece could speak French fluently.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

That afternoon Mrs. Sappleton was waiting for her husband and sons to return from hunting.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mr. Nuttel had never hunted ducks.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Mr. Nuttel cheerfully greeted Mr.Sappleton and his sons.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mr. Nuttel ran out of the house because he was afraid of the dog.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Marathons

 

Many Americans enjoy running marathons – a forty-two kilometer race. More than three hundred marathons were held in the United States last year and that number is expected to grow.

 

The New York City marathon is held every year on the first Sunday of November. It is a big sporting event with thousands of participants. One can see celebrities and famous sportsmen among the marathon runners. A famous cyclist, whose excellent physical condition helped him complete the marathon in less than three hours, admitted that the race was ‘the hardest physical thing he had ever done’.

 

While the New York City marathon is the biggest, the Boston Marathon is the oldest one. Boston’s is held in April. Boston is famous for the fact that Roberta Gibb became the first woman to unofficially run that marathon in 1966. At that time, people did not believe women could run marathons. The Olympics did not hold a women’s marathon event until 1984 in Los Angeles, California.

 

Today’s marathons welcome everyone. The popularity of the sport has spread among people who are interested in health and fitness. Many middle-aged people like to spend a weekend visiting a new city and running a marathon there. Some magazines call the middle-aged people of today the ‘marathon generation’. Forty-three percent of marathon runners in the United States are 40 years old or older. There are many organisations for marathoners. Nowadays many local running clubs offer training programmes that can prepare runners for the big race.

 

A marathon really starts several months before the race. You need to run about five days every week to prepare. Most runs should be for half an hour. You should also try to run for an hour or more each Sunday. This is a very basic way for an average runner to prepare.

 

What you can’t prepare for is running in a big marathon with thousands of other participants. A marathon is in many ways a social event. There is a sense of community. The spectators are as much a part of the race as the runners. Almost every age group is present. At the start of the race there is a lot of shouting as the runners want to release some tension. They have three to five hours of hard running ahead of them.

 

However, there are people who want to run farther. For them ultra-marathons are organised that take running to a different level. An ultra-marathon is any race longer than a marathon. One of the oldest ultra-marathons is held annually in California, USA. It is 160 kilometers long. Last year, 210 people finished the race. The winner, Graham Cooper, finished in eighteen hours and seventeen minutes.

 

 

The well-trained athlete finds a marathon a difficult activity.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Marathons in the USA are held in different seasons.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

In the 20th century doctors believed that marathons were harmful for women.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

People who are over forty are not allowed to take part in marathons.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The best way to prepare for a marathon is to join a running club.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Training for a marathon includes special diets.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

At the start of a marathon the runners keep silent to save energy.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

A marathon with a large number of participants is called an ultra-marathon.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The Moneyless Man

 

For most of us it seems that money makes the world go round. However, not for Mark Boyle who has turned his life into a radical experiment.

 

Mark Boyle was born in 1979 in Ireland and moved to Great Britain after getting a degree in Business. He set up his own business in Bristol. For six years Mark Boyle managed two organic food companies which made him a good profit.

 

However, in 2008, he decided to give up earning money. He vowed to live without cash, credit cards, or any other form of finance.

 

Mark Boyle began to realise that many of the world’s problems are just symptoms of a deeper problem. He thought that money gave people the illusion of independence.

 

Mark sold his house and started preparing himself for his new life. He posted an advert on a website asking for a tent, a caravan (a vehicle for living or travelling) or any other type of a house. Soon an old lady gave him a caravan for free. At least he then had a roof over his head!

 

After that, with his pockets empty, Mark was ready to go. He didn't even carry keys as he decided to trust the world a bit more and not lock his caravan. On November 28th (International Buy Nothing Day 2008), he became the Moneyless Man for one whole year.

 

Everything was different from then on. Mark lived in his caravan on an organic farm where he worked as a volunteer three days a week. In return he got a piece of land to live on and grow his own vegetables. His food was cooked on a stove, and he washed in a shower made from a plastic bag hanging from a tree, and warmed by the sun.

 

Even breakfast was different. With no morning coffee to brew, Mark had to find an alternative drink to start the day with. So he drank herbal teas, sometimes with some fresh lemon verbena that he could find near the caravan. "It's all very good for you: iron, calcium, anti-oxidants," Mark said.

 

Food was the first thing to consider. Mark discovered that there were four ways to find it: looking for wild food, growing his own food, bartering (exchanging his grown food for something else), and using loads of waste food from shops.

 

Public interest in his project was divided. While a huge number of people supported him, there was criticism of him, particularly on Internet forums.

 

"People are either very positive about what I'm doing or very negative; I think it's about 70 percent/30 percent. It's funny, if you don't have a massive plasma TV these days, people think you are an extremist," Mark said.

 

People tend to ask Mark what he learnt from a year of a moneyless life. "What have I learned? That friendship, not money, is real security," he answers.

 

Mark's remarkable journey is described in his new book "The Moneyless Man", which shows in a detailed way the challenges he faced on the road to his new world.

 

 

Mark’s business in Bristol was successful.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mark bought an expensive caravan for his new life.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Mark’s family approved of his moneyless project.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mark got money for his work on the organic farm.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

The only thing Mark couldn’t give up was coffee.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Mark got food from different sources.

          1)True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

People’s attitudes towards Mark’s project were different.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Some of Mark’s fans want to repeat his experiment.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

Big Ben

 

London has many landmarks, but none is more popular than the Elizabeth Tower which is located at one end of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. The famous tower is the third tallest clock tower in the world. It is probably the most well-known attraction in not only London, but Great Britain as well. But, what makes this tower so special?

 

The Elizabeth Tower is home to the largest four-faced chiming bell in the world. The official name of the bell is The Great Bell. However, its nickname Big Ben is more popular than the official name. Nobody knows exactly why the bell got such a nickname. There are two main versions. The first one is that the bell was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the British engineer who managed the casting of the bell. His name was put on the bell itself. The second version suggests that the bell was named after Ben Caunt, a famous heavyweight boxing champion of that time.

 

Big Ben weighs 13.5 British tons, which is about the size of two large African Elephants. It is 2.2 meters high and has a diameter of 2.7 meters. Big Ben chimes every hour. The clock tower was completed in 1859 and Big Ben first chimed over London on July 11 that year.

 

There are also four nameless quarter bells inside the tower. They chime every fifteen minutes, playing the world famous Westminster chimes. They can be heard from a distance of as far as 12 kilometres!

 

Amazingly, the bells still chimed and the clock still showed the exact time after the Houses of Parliament were bombed during World War II. The building was completely destroyed, but the tower and the clock weren’t damaged.

 

The clock faces are 7 metres in diameter. The hour hand is 2.7 metres long, and the minute hand is 4.3 metres long. There is an inscription in Latin in gold letters along the bottom of each of the clock faces, ‘O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First’.

 

The clock’s time is kept accurate. There have been some incidents when the clock was inaccurate. In 1949, birds damaged the minute hand and made it slow down by 4.5 minutes.

 

Nowadays clockmakers climb the Elizabeth Tower 3 times a week to wind Big Ben's Сlock, whose timing can be affected by the weather, atmospheric pressure or simply by its age. Big Ben’s Сlock is over 150 years old.

 

At the top of the Elizabeth Tower there is a lantern known as the Ayrton Light, which is lit whenever the House of Commons or the House of Lords is in session.

 

The Big Ben chimes to greet the New Year and it is a starting point for the New Year’s celebration of the entire country. The BBC also broadcasts the chiming of the bells on Remembrance Day to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month; the end of World War I.

 

There are 334 steps to the top of the clock tower. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public for viewing the city.

 

According to a survey done in 2008, Big Ben is the most popular tourist attraction in London.

 

The Elizabeth Tower was built by the order of the Queen.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

It is still not certain why the bell was called Big Ben.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

There are five bells in the Elizabeth Tower.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

During World War II, the famous Big Ben was destroyed.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

All the words on the clock faces are written in English.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The clock faces are washed with soap and water.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The clockmakers wind up the clock in the Elizabeth Tower every day.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The tourists are not allowed to the top of the Elizabeth Tower.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Banksy

 

Where do you expect to see graffiti? Probably not in a museum. Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, in the south-west of England, was the kind of place where you could see classical pictures and statues. However, in the summer of 2009 the exhibition ‘Banksy versus the Bristol Museum’ opened. The exhibition presented more than a hundred works by Banksy, one of the world’s most famous graffiti artists.

 

Banksy is a puzzle to all. He keeps his identity secret. He hardly ever gives interviews and likes to remain anonymous. Nobody knows much about his life or his background, but many people believe that his real name is either Robert Banks or Robin Banks and that he was born in England, somewhere near Bristol.

 

Banksy’s street art is always provocative. It's his way of communicating with society. His graffiti is characterised by bright and frequently shocking images, often combined with slogans. His work is often a personal protest against wars, social policy or people's behaviour. Although graffiti is not allowed in cities, Banksy's works have become immensely popular.

 

Banksy believes that art should not be used for advertising. He has refused four times to do adverts for Nike, a famous sportswear company.

 

A year after the Bristol exhibition, Banksy made a film called ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’. The film tells the story of a street artist. It got many positive reviews from the critics and from the general audience.

 

Another curious fact from Banksy's biography is that once he was named among the 100 most influential people in the world. He actually found himself in the company of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Lady Gaga. When he was asked to send a photo, Banksy sent a picture of himself with a paper bag (recyclable, naturally) over his head. His fans still don’t really know who he is.

 

Bristol isn’t the only place in Britain to welcome and accept graffiti. A park in Dundee, Scotland, has the longest legal graffiti wall (almost 110 metres long) in the UK. Anyone can paint on the wall any time they like. The idea of this graffiti wall project is to demonstrate the positive side of graffiti and to organise workshops and graffiti classes for local children.

 

Even the capital of the country could not stay free of street art. There's a special website dedicated to London's street art and artists. The site's team is a group of enthusiastic young people who are closely connected with the street art world. They try to record and register all the works and display them on their ‘Street Art London’ site. That is quite a job to do! The reason is that street art is very temporal and short-lived: graffiti is soon covered by another wall painting so they have to be quick to take a picture and post it on the website.

 

 

Banksy sold his works to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Banksy's personality remains mysterious to people.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Banksy often takes part in advertising campaigns for different goods.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The film reviews strongly criticised Banksy's film. 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Banksy's film was based on his autobiography.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Banksy was put on the list of the most important world figures.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Graffiti is officially allowed in Dundee park, Scotland. 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

The website about London’s street art and artists is administered by Banksy.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Red Nose Day

 

There's one special day in Britain when you can see lots of people all over the country wearing clown red noses. This is known as Red Nose Day. It's arranged by a charity organisation ‘Comic Relief’ whose aim is to collect money for people who are in need.

 

‘Comic Relief’ was started in 1985 by the writer Richard Curtis and the comedian Lenny Henry. At that time, people in Ethiopia were suffering from an awful hunger and something had to be done. The idea was simple. Richard and Lenny decided to gather a group of much-loved British comedians to give public performances. And in this way they would collect money to help people in desperate need. They also hoped to let people know about poverty in Africa. Richard and Lenny strongly believe that laughter is the best weapon to fight tragedy, poverty and injustice. That was how ‘Comic Relief’ was born.

 

One of the main events organised by ‘Comic Relief’ is Red Nose Day. It takes place every two years in the spring, though many people think that this day should be held annually. The first Red Nose Day was held on 5 February 1988 and since then they have been held on the second or third Friday in March.

 

The event is widely celebrated in the UK and many people consider it to be a type of unofficial national holiday. The symbol of the day is the red nose which you can find in various supermarkets and charity shops. The thing is that red noses are not sold and you cannot buy them, but you can leave a small sum of money (a donation) and just take one. The exact sum of the donation is not fixed. You can leave as much as you want – it's an act of charity.

 

Since 1985 there have been all kinds of noses: plastic, soft, boring common ones, there were noses that looked like faces, noses that made noises, noses that changed colour when they got hot… This year it's a dinosaur theme, which means noses are shaped like small creatures from pre-history.

 

On Red Nose Day money-raising events take place all over the country and many schools participate.

 

In the evening of Red Nose Day a ‘telethon' takes place on the BBC channels. This is like a televised marathon that shows a selection of the events of the day, and lots of short comic performances and reports of how the money will be spent. It starts in the evening and goes through into the early hours of the morning.

 

There’s a Red Nose Day page on Facebook and you can follow it on Twitter. People also upload videos of local charity events on YouTube and Facebook.

 

So, if you are ever in the UK on Red Nose Day, now you know why you will find normal people wearing red noses and doing silly things! It's all for a good reason!

 

 

The organisation ‘Comic Relief’ was established to help poor people in Africa.

 

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

 

Nowadays ‘Comic Relief’ has become an international organisation.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

Red Nose Day is held every year in spring.

          1)True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Red Nose Day is а very popular day in Great Britain.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Red noses are sold at the same price in all shops and supermarkets.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

An essential part of Red Nose Day is the contest for the best nose.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

There is a special TV programme about Red Nose Day.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

Information about Red Nose Day events is posted on the Internet.

          1) True

          2) False

          3) Not stated

 

 

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