II. Listen to Huan, a Chinese man, speaking about moving out and answer the questions below
1. Why do young people prefer to live with their parents in Hong Kong?
2. How did Huan’s parents react to his decision?
3. What are the advantages of living on your own?
III. Let’s talk about national character and stereotypes.
15.
I. 1. Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what it is about.
MAKE YOUR HOME GREENER
Residential buildings are responsible for consuming 27% of the total amount of energy consumed within Europe and are the biggest source of global warming in the world. This is a fact that has, until recently, been overlooked by lawmakers trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, who have concen-trated their efforts on industry and transport. The EU has now passed a new law which intends to cut considerably carbon dioxide emissions* from build-ings. This means that each of us can now save the planet from the comfort of our own homes.
The first things we can do are simple and easy. We can block up draughts*, switch off unnecessary lights and make sure cold and hot water taps are not left running. The next step requires more planning and some expense, but as well as saving energy, we will also save on bills. Many homes have window and roof insulation* but it is rarely enough. Full insulation can have a dramatic effect on energy consumption. We should use energy efficient light bulbs. These are usually expensive to buy but consume less than half the energy of standard bulbs. These bulbs last much longer than conventional light bulbs reducing the consumption of resources. Also, thermal solar panels are very efficient. They are capable of providing all the hot water you need.
We can install a ‘grey’ water recycling system. At present water used to flush the toilets is of the same drinkable quality that comes out of the taps. This is an unnecessary waste of energy used in water purification. A grey water recycling system cleans water that has been used for washing and sends it through the toilet system reducing the use of clean drinking water.
New buildings have more energy saving features in their design. They can have a wooden structure, extensive insulation, electronic environmental controls, triple glazing4, a nonpolluting heating system and a turf5 roof. However, it is how we deal with our present homes that will determine housing’s contribution to global warming. It’s down to each of us, so get insulating!
1 *carbon dioxide emissions [ˈkɑːbəndaɪˈɒkˈsaɪdɪˈmɪʃnz] выбросыуглекис-логогаза
|
|
|
2 draught [drɑːft] сквозняк
3 insulation [ ˌɪnsjʊˈleɪʃn] изоляция, утепление
4 glazing [ˈɡleɪzɪŋ] остекление
5 turf [təːf] торф
2. What energy saving features in the design of the building are used nowadays? Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. What can we do to cut carbon dioxide emissions from buildings?
4. What is considered to be an unnecessary waste of energy used in water purification?
II. Listen to the tour guide and answer the questions below.
1. What sort of tour is it?
2. What will the tourists see on the tour?
3. Why does the tourist ask to return the money?
III. Let’s talk about outstanding people.
16.
I. 1. Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what it is about.
MR WEMMICK’S “CASTLE”
Wemmick’s house was a little wooden cottage in the middle of a large garden. The top of the house had been built and painted like a battery loaded with guns. I said I really liked it. I think Wemmick’s house was the tiniest I had ever seen. It had very few windows and the door was almost too small to get in.
‘Look,’ said Wemmick, after I have crossed this bridge, I raise it so that nobody can enter the Castle.’
The ‘bridge’ was a plank1 and it crossed a gap about four feet2 wide and two feet deep. But I enjoyed seeing the smile on Wemmick’s face and the pride with which he raised his bridge. The gun on the roof of the house, he told me, was fired every night at nine o’clock. I later heard it. Immediately, it made an impressive sound.
‘At the back,’ he said, ‘there are chickens, ducks, geese, and rabbits. I’ve also got my own little vegetable garden and I grow cucumbers. Wait until supper and you’ll see for yourself what kind of salad I can make. If the Castle is ever attacked, I will be able to survive for quite a while,’ he said with a smile, but at the same time seriously.
Then Wemmick showed me his collection of curiosities. They were mostly to do with being on the wrong side of the law: a pen with which a famous forgery3 had been committed, some locks of hair, several manuscript confessions written from prison.
|
|
|
‘I am my own engineer, my own carpenter, my own plumber and my own gardener. I am my own Jack of all Trades4,’ said Wemmick, receiving my compliments. Wemmick told me that it had taken many years to bring his property to this state of perfection.
‘Is it your own, Mr. Wemmick?’
‘Oh yes, I have got a hold of it a bit at a time. I have absolute ownership now. You know, the office is one thing, and private life is another. When I go to the office, I leave the Castle behind me, and when I come to the Castle, I leave the office behind me. If you don’t mind, I’d like you to do the same. I don’t want to talk about my home in a professional manner.
1 *plank [plæŋk] брус, доска
2 feet [fiːt] — мн. ч. от foot — мера длины, равная 30,48 см
3 forgery [ˈfɔdʒərɪ] подделка
4 Jack of all Trades мастернавсеруки
2. ‘An Englishman’s home is his castle’. Read aloud the extract which proves this idea.
3. What do we understand about Wemmick’s home life?
4. Why does Wemmick call himself Jack of all Trades?
Дата добавления: 2018-04-04; просмотров: 769; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!