2.01 Задание 10. Задание на понимание основного содержания прочитанного текста

Установите соответствие между текстами А-G и заголовками 1-8. Запишите свой ответ последовательностью цифр, где первая цифра - заголовок к тексту A, а последняя - заголовок к тексту G. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний

1. Getting bigger

2. The weather in Paris

3. Why live in Paris?

4. Key facts

5. Becoming stronger

6. Location

7. A rich place

8. The jewel of Paris

A. Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated in the north-central part of the country. People were living on the site of the present-day city, located along the Seine River by about 7600 BC. The modern city has spread far beyond both banks of the Seine. Paris is by far the country’s most important centre of commerce and culture. The area of the city is 41 square miles (105 square km); the population of Paris and its suburbs is approximately 10 million people.

B. For centuries Paris has been one of the world’s most important and attractive cities. It is appreciated for the opportunities it offers for business and commerce, for study, culture, and entertainment; its gastronomy, haute couture, painting, literature, and intellectual community especially enjoy an enviable reputation. It is called the City of Light and it lives up to its reputation being an important centre for education and intellectual pursuits.

C. Paris is situated at a crossroads of both water and land routes significant not only to France but also to Europe. It has had a continuing influence on its growth. Under Roman administration, in the 1st century BC, the original site on the Île de la Cité was designated the capital of the territory. Under King Hugh Capet (ruled 987 – 996), the preeminence of Paris was firmly established, and Paris became a political and cultural hub as modern France took shape.

D. Paris is located on the western side of Europe and in a plain relatively close to the sea. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, it has a fairly temperate climate. The weather can be very changeable, however, especially in the winter and spring, when the wind can be sharp and cold. The annual average temperature is roughly 12 °C; the July average is about 19 °C, and the January average is about 3 °C. The temperature drops below freezing for about a month each year, and snow falls on such days.

E. At the eastern end of the Île de la Cité we can see the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. It is situated on a spot that Parisians have always reserved for the practice of religious rites. Like all cathedrals in France, Notre-Dame is the property of the state, although its operation as a religious institution is left entirely to the Roman Catholic Church. The cathedral looks stunning. It is certainly the most famous landmark in Paris, attracting millions of tourists each year.

F. In 1850, Paris had approximately 600,000 inhabitants. It then grew rapidly as industrial expansion attracted a constant stream of people from the provinces. By 1870, the population had surpassed 1,000,000, and by 1931 the conurbation contained some 5,000,000 people, more than half of them living in the city of Paris, the administrative city within the old gates. After World War II, this growth continued, and in the early 21st century Greater Paris had over 10 million people.

G. Paris is not only the political and cultural capital of France but also its major financial and commercial centre. It is a very wealthy city, home to many vast private fortunes, both of French and foreign origin. It serves as the base for numerous international business concerns, and even if large French firms have their manufacturing plants in the provinces, nearly all keep their headquarters in Paris, conveniently close to major banks and key ministries.

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1. Different terms

2. Emotions and sleep

3. Lack of sleep

4. Sleep and obesity

5. The importance of sleep

6. Reasons to be active

7. How long to sleep

8. What is obesity

A. When a person has excess weight or body fat, this might affect their health. It is usually caused by the consumption of more calories than the body can use. The excess calories are stored as fat. Obesity is a medical condition. It was first recognized as a disease in 1948 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Obese people suffer from a large number of diseases. In most people, obesity is caused by eating too much and moving too little. There are different types of obesity.

B. It’s never too late to become more physically active. Physical activity refers to any movement of the body that uses energy. It can include housework, walking and gardening. Exercise is a kind of physical activity. It is planned and repetitive. Examples of exercise are going to the gym and running on a treadmill. If you are interested in maintaining good health, physical activity can be a great place to start. If you want to achieve fitness goals, you will need to incorporate structured exercise into your routine.

C. Exercising regularly is one of the most important things you can do for your health. In the short term, exercise helps to control appetite, boost mood and improve sleep. In the long term, it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and depression. Exercise plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. Regular exercise also increases your chances of living longer. There are many types of physical activity, including swimming, running, jogging, walking and dancing.

D. Sleep plays an essential role in your health and well-being. Getting enough good quality sleep has many benefits. It protects your physical and mental health, quality of life and personal safety. When we sleep, our brain lays down memory, restores daytime mental functioning and carries out processes that lead to physical growth. Poor sleep is strongly linked to weight gain. People with short sleep duration tend to weigh significantly more than those who get adequate sleep. Mental health issues are strongly linked to poor sleep quality.

E. Sleep is a vital indicator of overall health and well-being. On average, adults should optimally receive between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, but those needs vary individually. For example, some people feel best with eight consecutive hours of sleep, while others do well with six to seven hours at night and daytime napping. Some people feel okay when their sleep schedule changes, while others feel strongly affected by a new schedule or even one night of insufficient sleep.

F. Obesity develops when energy intake is greater than expenditure. Diet and physical activity play an important part in this. However, an additional factor may be inadequate sleep. A growing body of research suggests that there’s a link between how much people sleep and how much they weigh. In general, children and adults who get too little sleep tend to weigh more than those who get enough sleep. People who don’t get enough sleep may take in more calories than those who do, simply because they are awake longer and have more opportunities to eat.

G. People find it harder to fall asleep when they are anxious and sad. The relationship between mood disorders and quality sleep is a complex, two-way street. Just as negative mood states can make getting a good night’s sleep a virtual impossibility, insufficient sleep can lead to depression. Regardless of which comes first, the end result is that a blue mood and poor sleep go hand-in-hand. The amount and quality of our sleep can play a huge role in our mental health including how we feel and how we act toward other people.

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1. From the history of the game

2. The first tennis competitions

3. The rules of table tennis

4. Similar yet different

5. Countries good at table tennis

6. Table tennis equipment

7. Why watch tennis

8. Both for men and women

A. Table tennis is a ball game similar in principle to lawn tennis. It’s played on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a net fixed across its width at the middle. The task is to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces on the opponent’s half of the table in such a way that the opponent cannot reach it or return it correctly. The lightweight hollow ball is propelled back and forth across the net by small rackets. The game is popular all over the world, among people of different age.

B. Table tennis is a relatively young sport. In fact, it was invented in England in the early days of the 20th century and was originally called Ping-Pong. The name “table tennis” was adopted in 1921 or 1922 when the old Ping-Pong Association formed in 1902 was revived. Led by representatives of Germany, Hungary, and England, the International Table Tennis Federation was founded in 1926. By the mid-1990s more than 165 national associations were the members of this association.

C. Table tennis is really a sport for everyone. You don’t need to spend much money or buy many things to play table tennis. The table is rectangular, 9 feet by 5 feet, its upper surface a level plane 30 inches above the floor. The net is 6 feet long, and its upper edge along the whole length is 6 inches above the playing surface. The ball, which is spherical and hollow, was once made of white celluloid. Since 1969 a plastic similar to celluloid has been used. The racket may be any size, weight, or shape.

D. It’s easy to understand how tennis is played. A tennis match consists of the best of any odd numbers of games, each game being won by the player who first reaches 11 points or who, after 10 points each, wins two clear points ahead. A point is scored when the server fails to make a good service, when either player fails to make a good return, or when either player commits a specified infraction. Service changes hands after every two points until 10-all is reached, when it changes after every subsequent point.

E. Table tennis may be played with one player at each end of the table or with two players at each end who may be both men or both women or one of each. Worldwide, the women’s game is comparable in organization to the men’s, and women take part in world championships and all other organized events. The first female tournament took place in 1909, but women are known to have been playing tennis since 1874, which is obvious from old pictures and photos which survived the test of time.

F. The first world championships were held in London in 1927, and from then until 1939 the game was dominated by players from central Europe, the men’s team event being won nine times by Hungary and twice by Czechoslovakia. In the mid-1950s Asia emerged as a breeding ground of champions, and from that time the men’s team event has been won by either Japan or China, as has the women’s event, though to a lesser extent; North Korea also became an international force.

G. People eagerly come to the stadiums to see a game of tennis live or switch on their TVs when an exciting match is on. The interest to the spectator lies in observing the ability of one player to defeat another by some well-thought-out strategy. Increasing the speed of the game, slowing it down, varying the direction of or imparting different spin or pace to the ball are just some of the tactics that may be used to support the strategy planned by a sportsman. Thus, a game of tennis can be a real show.

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1. Causes of bird migration

2. A way of spending free time

3. Where birds live

4. Behaviour and feeding habits

5. Importance to people

6. Types of migrating birds

7. Where birds migrate

8. Causes of bird extinction

A. Birds are distinguished from all other animals by their feathers. Some types of birds live alone most of the time. Other types are more social. They may sleep, fly, and nest in groups called flocks. Birds use different sounds to communicate with one another. For example, some baby chicks stop moving when their mother produces a danger call. They may also sing to announce that a certain patch of land belongs to them. Many types eat insects. Some water birds catch fish. Many other types eat plant material.

B. Birds are found almost everywhere on Earth. There are more than 10,000 types of birds. All birds have similar features. The loss of a complete bird species may be inevitable because they are too sensitive to rapid changes. Birds living on small islands, or in desert or mountainous regions, can be vulnerable to slight changes in climate, while even minor disruptions of forest habitats can affect the breeding habits and survival of others. In some regions, it is the hunting of birds, for sport or to trade their pelts, that is the greatest threat.

C. Birds have spread throughout all parts of Earth because of their ability to fly. They live in a great variety of habitats, including fields, forests, grasslands, deserts, marshes, islands, and the open ocean. The size of an area and the diversity of the habitats help determine the number of species found in a given area. Many birds migrate, or fly long distances between their winter and summer homes. For example, many European birds travel to Africa for the winter. This helps them find enough food year-round.

D. Every bird when it is seen for the first time brings a thrill of discovery. The spring migration is a fresh wonder every year. The surprise and delight of coming across a rarity and the difficulty of keeping it in view long enough to be sure of what it is help to make bird-watching an endless fascination. Bird-watching is a hobby that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. In bird clubs the membership ranges in age from young children to grandparents. Bird-watching can combine healthy outdoor activity with the pursuit of beauty and knowledge.

E. Some birds never move far from where they were born whereas others migrate and can travel huge distances in the process. Birds migrate from one summer season to the other. Although they take a lot of risk when they migrate, for many of them it significantly improves their chances of survival and allows them to raise more offspring in another region. Birds migrate to move from areas of low or decreasing resources to areas of high or increasing resources.

F. Birds and their eggs have been sources of food for humans since their origin and still are in most societies. With the rise of agriculture, birds became important to farmers. In their constant search for food, wild birds eat huge numbers of insects, weed seeds, and rodents. Insects, weeds, and rodents cut down the amount of food the farmer can harvest from field, garden, and orchard. Many people keep birds as pets. Small finches and parrots are especially popular. Zoological parks are a source of recreation for millions of people each year.

G. Migration is often annual. It is closely linked with the cyclic pattern of the seasons. It is most evident among birds, which have a highly efficient means of traveling swiftly over long distances. The migration of most birds is a yearly cycle. Not all birds migrate. Permanent residents do not migrate. They are able to find adequate supplies of food year-round. Shortdistance migrants move only a short distance. Medium-distance migrants cover distances that span from one to several states. There are also long-distance migrants.

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1. Set objectives wisely

2. Plan for efficiency

3. The faster, the better

4. Not only work matters

5. Importance of time management

6. Delegate and refuse

7. Avoid distractions

8. First things first

A. Time is precious, particularly when it comes to running a small business. While being your own boss is a dream for many, it comes with a lot of responsibility. No doubt, you never seem to be able to check off all the items on your to-do list. From networking to marketing your company, it may seem like there’s an endless number of tasks and never enough time. If you want to maintain a healthy work-life balance, your time management skills really need to be on point. After all, there are never more than 24 hours in a day.

B. Goal setting is crucial to any good time management strategy. To make sure you’re engaging in activities that support your business goals, both short- and long-term, you need to define those goals in terms that are clear and achievable. After all, if your goal is just “to grow your business,” you might find yourself stressed and not know where to begin. Standing for “Smart, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound”, SMART goals provide clear, step-by-step tasks to help you get where you need to go.

C. Once you have set your goals and determined the individual tasks you need to do to achieve them, it’s time to prioritise. Of course, you want to make sure you’re getting things done, but they should be the right things. Stephen Covey offers advice on how to work through your to-do list based on urgency. Focus your energy on completing your most important and urgent tasks before moving on to less time-sensitive items. Low-priority stuff offers the illusion of being busy. Do these later.

D. One of the worst things you can do is jump into the workday with no clear idea about what needs to get done. While it might seem like a waste of time to take five to ten minutes to think ahead rather than getting straight down to business, you’ll be surprised at how much more efficient you can be just by dedicating a little time to planning out the rest of the day. If you schedule your time wisely, you can focus on one task at a time, rather than wasting time jumping from one thing to the next. This allows you to work smarter, not harder.

E. Start paying attention to the number of times someone interrupts you when you are doing an important task. Track self-induced interruptions, too, particularly those of the social media variety. Your smartphone is extremely useful, but it’s also highly addictive and among the most harmful time-wasters known to man. It may take a massive exercise in will power, but shut the door and turn off your phone to maximize your time. Instead of being “always on”, plan a break in the day to catch up on email, make phone calls, etc.

F. If you have hired talented, dedicated employees, one of the most impactful management tools is asking them to handle some tasks. Running a successful small business depends on the owner’s ability to think about what lies ahead and not get stuck in day-to-day operations. Look for opportunities to pass responsibility for specific tasks to others on your team. That’s what you hired them for, isn’t it? If you have to decline a request in order to attend to what’s truly important and urgent, do not hesitate to do so.

G. Taking care of yourself is important. In fact, one Harvard study found that insomnia can cause the average worker to lose up to 11.3 days of productivity each year, while another study found that regular exercise helps improve concentration, sharpen memory, speed up your ability to learn, and even lower your stress levels. Making sure you have some free time each day to spend on the people and things you love is important for your mental health, and can help keep you energised and passionate about your work.

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1. Danger for space missions

2. Costly problem of space junk

3. How it all started

4. Do-It-Yourself device

5. Entertaining worker

6. Rapid transportation

7. Looking for easier ways

8. Tiny but informative

A. Launched in December 1961, OSCAR 1 was the world’s first non-governmental satellite. It was built for only 63 dollars by a group of amateur radio operators and operated for nearly 20 days, testing radio reception from space. OSCAR 1 marked the beginning of a program that continues to this day. The program has led to innovations in spacecraft design and enabled radio enthusiasts to participate in satellite communications.

B. Having a small satellite launched into orbit might sound strange, but over the past few decades a unique class of satellites has been created that seems ideal for space operations: CubeSats. The most common CubeSat is a 10 cm cube. Within their compact bodies these miniature satellites are able to place sensors and communications receivers/transmitters that enable operators to study the Earth from space, as well as space around the Earth.

C. A CubeSat is a small satellite that weighs just 1 kilogram. The design of these satellites has been so simplified that almost anyone can build them. More than that, the instructions are available for free online. They are quite easy to understand. After you build one, you can also test and launch it. CubeSats can be combined to make larger satellites if you need to carry heavier weights. Is it expensive to build one? Typically less than $5,000.

D. Australian scientists have successfully tested a new kind of jet aircraft that can move seven times faster than the speed of sound. It can bring hypersonic or ultra-fast travel a step closer to reality. Hypersonic jet engine that could be used to fly people from Sydney to London in just two hours is planned to make its first flight in 2018, according to the Australian scientists and engineers working on the project.

E. A robot-cook, which is created by the programmers of the company-resident of the business incubator of Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics, will be able to replace workers of fast food restaurants in making hot dogs, candy floss and other foods. The authors of the idea believe that the robot will be popular with restaurant-keepers, especially as a marketing tool to attract customers.

F. Since the birth of space flight in 1957, the number of man-made objects orbiting the Earth has grown every year. There are now more than 15,000 such objects larger than 10cm, at least those that we know of. Even very small particles can pose a risk to spacecraft, because of the high relative speeds at which they travel. Space trash can affect not only critical equipment such as communications satellites, but it can also be problematic for space flights.

G. National space agencies and private satellite and communications companies have an interest in reducing the amount of space trash or so-called debris in orbit. If one organisation removes debris, it will help everyone in space. But because doing so will be complex and very expensive, the best option for anyone of these players is to wait for somebody else to have a go first. That would give them a cleaner space without paying for clearing it up.

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1. Gender disproportion

2. A woodland country

3. An extreme climate

4. One expression, different attitudes

5. A good purchase

6. A popular holiday

7. The biggest of all

8. Moving in a circle

A. The scale of Russia is difficult to imagine. That is excellent for travelers because that means there is plenty to explore. The total landmass of Russia is 6,601,665 square miles. That is equal to 11% of the world’s total landmass! Based on the total landmass, Russia is the largest country in the world – nearly twice as big as Canada. It is the world’s second-largest nation as it covers all northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe. It shares land borders with more than a dozen countries, and shares sea borders with Japan and the United States.

B. There is a big difference between the male and female population in Russia. While females in Russia make up 54% of the population, males only make up 46%. Why is there such a big difference in the population? The population gap began during World War II when 25 million Russian soldiers died during the war. Moreover, men have a much shorter lifespan than women do. Many Russians live in rural communities where the way of life is harsh and Russian men often fall victim to hunting accidents, or health care issues.

C. One of the best Russian facts is that Russians learn not to smile while growing up. While smiling in many cultures is a sign of happiness and friendliness, Russians don’t view it that way. To Russians, smiling is a sign of weakness and not showing one’s true feelings. Russians do smile at people they know well and care about, but not at strangers as many other cultures do. If you smile at a Russian on the street, don’t expect them to smile back. However, we found that many Russians smiled and waved back when we were in Russia.

D. Folk dancing is an important part of Russian history and Russian culture. Russians perform folk dances at festivals, markets, and in the theater. Khorovod is one of the most common types of Russian folk dancing. This style of dance consists of people dancing together and holding hands. Khorovod is performed in the following way: women stand in a round and move from east to west, as the Sun goes across the sky. Foreign visitors have noticed that Khorovod reflects some traits of Russian character, such as enthusiasm, creativity, and joy of living.

E. Russia has a lot of trees. If you are someone that loves nature, this is a fact you will enjoy. Around 20% of all the trees in the entire world are in Russia. That ends up being around 640 billion trees. About 45% of the country is covered by trees, much of it in Russia’s boreal forest, or taiga, located in remote areas of Siberia. They are part of wild, untouched forests that are too cold to travel to. These thick forest regions were once completely under glaciers and are now home to a whole load of brave species, including the Siberian tiger, wild boars, eagles, and owls.

F. Because Russia has harsh winter conditions, it is probably no surprise that Russia is home to the coldest village in the world. While winters there average -58 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest recorded temperature in Oymyakon is -96 degrees Fahrenheit. Living in these harsh temperatures comes with its fair share of disadvantages. For example, if someone tries to wear glasses outside, the glasses will freeze on their face. Also, cars have to stay in heated garages, or the engines will not start. If you decide to visit Oymyakon, be sure to pack for winter.

G. In 1897, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for only 7.2 million dollars. With inflation, that is around 120 million dollars today. At the time, critics thought that Secretary of State William H. Seward who agreed to buy Alaska was crazy. But Seward had wanted to do it for a long time. Alaska is so large that the addition of this land increased the size of the U.S. by nearly 20 percent. Major discoveries of gold were made there in the 1880s and 1890s. These discoveries brought attention and people to Alaska.

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1. Perm’s industry

2. Beneficial location

3. City’s cultural life

4. Too important to be left alone

5. Traditionally liberal

6. The greatest achievement

7. Natural resource as attraction

8. Where the name comes from

A. The word “Perm” first appeared in the 12th century in the Primary Chronicle, the main source describing the early history of the Russian people. The Perm were listed among the people who paid tribute to the Rus. The origin of the word “Perm” remains unclear. Most likely, the word came from the Finno-Ugric languages and meant “far land” or “flat, forested place”. But some local residents say it may have come from Per, a hero and the main character of many local legends.

B. Novgorodian traders were the first to show an interest in Perm. Starting from the 15th century, the Muscovite princes included the area in their plans to create a unified Russian state. During this time the first Russian villages appeared in the northern part of the region. The first industry to appear in the area was a salt factory, which developed on the Usolka river in the city of Solikamsk. Rich salt reserves generated great interest on the part of Russia’s wealthiest merchants, some of whom bought land there.

C. The history of the modern city of Perm starts with the development of the Ural region by Tsar Peter the Great. Perm became the capital of the region in 1781 when the territorial structure of the country was reformed. A special commission determined that the best place would be at the crossroads of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which runs east-west and the Kazan line, which runs north-south. This choice resulted in Perm becoming a major trade and industrial centre. The city quickly grew to become one of the biggest in the region.

D. Perm is generally stable and peaceful, so the shocks of 1917 did not reach it right away. Neither did they have the same bloody results as in Petrograd. Perm tried to distance itself from the excesses and did not share the enthusiasm for change of its neighbours. Residents supported more moderate parties. They voted for the establishment of a west European style democracy in Russia. Unfortunately, the city could not stay completely unaffected, as both the White and the Red armies wanted its factories.

E. Perm’s desire for stability and self-control made the region seem like a “swamp” during the democratic reforms of the 1990s. Unlike other regions, there were no intense social conflicts or strikes. Nevertheless, Perm was always among the regions that supported the democratic movement. In the 1999 elections, the party that wanted to continue the reforms won a majority in the region. So the city got an unofficial status of “the capital of civil society” or even “the capital of Russian liberalism”.

F. During the Second World War many factories were moved to Perm Oblast and continued to work there after it ended. Chemicals, non-ferrous metallurgy, and oil refining were the key industries after the war. Other factories produced aircraft engines, equipment for telephones, ships, bicycles, and cable. Perm press produces about 70 percent of Russia’s currency and stamped envelopes. Nowadays several major business companies are located in Perm. The biggest players of Russian aircraft industry are among them.

G. Perm has at least a dozen theatres featuring productions that are attracting audiences from faraway cities, and even from abroad. The broad esplanade running from the city’s main square has become the site of almost continuous international art, theatre and music fairs during the summer. Even the former prison camp with grim walls outside town was converted into a theater last July for a production of “Fidelio”, Beethoven’s opera about political repression. The performance was wellreviewed.

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1. Time to spend with your family

2. Types of holidays

3. Different ways of celebrating

4. The origin of the holiday

5. The origin of the words

6. A well-known holiday

7. The importance of traditions

8. A merry farewell to cold weather

A. Easter is the most important day of the year for Christians. In America, Easter means church services, Easter egg hunts, and baskets full of candy. French children don’t get treats from the Easter bunny; they get them from the Easter bells. Easter in Portugal is celebrated with sweet bread called Floor da Pascoa. The bread is usually served at breakfast on Easter morning. The island of Corfu gets pretty messy on the morning of Holy Saturday. Those who live there take part in the annual “Pot Throwing”.

B. Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, is one of the most cheerful holidays in Russia. It’s a gathering of Russian people to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Pancakes are eaten all week during the festival to symbolise the sun in shape and colour. People eat pancakes with a variety of jams, butter and even caviar. According to the tradition, Sunday is the day to convince sins, say sorry, forgive and start anew. One of the most fun and anticipated parts on this day is the burning of Lady Maslenitsa.

C. Traditions represent a crucial piece of our culture. They help form the structure and foundation of our families and our society. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become. They serve as a venue for creating lasting memories for our families and friends. Once we ignore the meaning of our traditions, we’re in danger of damaging the underpinning of our identity. It is a pity but some people can’t even remember the true meaning of the holidays.

D. There are a lot of different holidays around the world. Christmas is a national holiday worldwide and one of the most beautiful and inspiring events in the world. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ as he was considered to be a present from God to humanity. Decorated Christmas trees and children waiting for Santa to bring gifts in winter make it a perfect sight for everyone. It is generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is one of the most festive times of the year.

E. People all over the world celebrate special days known as festivals or holidays. Some of these days are connected to specific dates, but others are not. The word “holiday” originally meant “holy day”. Many holidays are still religious, but others are not. The word “festival” comes from the word “feast”. The earliest festivals seem to have been connected with offerings to the dead. Food plays a major role in many of today’s festivals and holidays. The Thanksgiving turkey is an example of a traditional food linked to a holiday.

F. The Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony landed in America on their ship in December 1620. Only half of them survived that first winter. The next year, the harvest in the fall was good. To celebrate their harvest, the colonists and their guests enjoyed a three-day feast. In December 1941 Congress named the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Many people use this holiday as a day to reflect on the positive things in life and spend time with the people they love. Nearly everyone gets one or two days off school or work.

G. A holiday is a day for celebration when a lot of people are allowed to have days off work or school. Most countries have a designated national day. This holiday usually celebrates something notable in the creation of that country, such as its independence or signing of the constitution. There is no uniform definition of a public holiday around the world. It can occur on the same date every year. In some countries, the date varies from year to year. Bank holidays can mean two different things depending on which country you are in.

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1. Not only at dinner

2. Local rules in temples

3. Conversation topics

4. Watch your tongue

5. Foreigners banned

6. Mind what you wear

7. Chance to learn

8. A different body culture

A. Religion is taken very seriously in India. It is important to show due respect to religious buildings, images, and people at prayer. When entering a temple or mosque, remove your shoes and leave them at the door. Socks are acceptable, and protect your feet from burninghot stone ground. Some temples do not allow you to enter wearing or carrying leather articles. In the southern state of Kerala, most Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus, but those that aren’t require men to remove their shoes and shirts before entering.

B. The biggest minefield of potential failure has to do with eating. This is usually done with the fingers, and requires practice to get it absolutely right. Rule one is: eat with your right hand only. While you can hold a cup or utensil in your left hand, you should not eat, pass food or wipe your mouth with your left hand. This rule extends beyond food. In general, do not pass anything to anyone with your left hand, or point at anyone with it either. You should accept things given to you with your right hand – though using both hands is a sign of respect.

C. Indian people are very conservative about dress. Women are expected to dress modestly, with legs and shoulders covered. Trousers are acceptable, but shorts and short skirts are offensive to many. Men should always wear a shirt in public, and avoid shorts away from beach areas. These rules are particularly important in temples and mosques. Men are similarly expected to dress appropriately with their legs and head covered. Caps are usually available on loan, often free, for visitors, and sometimes cloth is available to cover up your arms and legs.

D. Kissing and embracing are not accepted in public. In more conservative areas, it is still rare for couples to hold hands, though Indian men can sometimes be seen holding hands as a sign of “brotherliness.” Be aware of your feet. When entering a private home, you should normally remove your shoes. When sitting, avoid pointing the soles of your feet at anyone. Accidental contact with one’s foot is always followed by an apology. Knowing and following these rules vastly improves the impression you make on local people.

E. As a traveller, you will constantly come across people who want to strike up a conversation. English not being the first language in India, they may not be familiar with the conventional ways of doing this. Indian English can be very formal, and even ceremonious. Indian people may well call you “sir” or “madam,” even “good lady” or “kind sir.” At the same time, you should be aware that your English may seem rude to them. In particular, swearing is taken rather seriously, and casual use of offensive words is likely to shock.

F. You may find it odd, or even intrusive, that complete strangers would want to know some personal stuff, but these subjects are considered polite conversation between strangers in India. They help people place one another in terms of social position. Your family, children, job, even income, are not considered “personal” subjects, and it is completely normal to ask people about them. Asking the same questions back will not be taken amiss – far from it. Being curious does not have the “nosey” stigma in India that it has in the West.

G. If you are not religious, travel alone, or stay in cheap hotels when, as a tourist, you are relatively rich, people in India will find it strange. You will probably end up having to explain the same things many times to many different people. It is more likely to happen if they are older or more traditional. On the other hand, you can ask questions too, so you could take it as an opportunity to understand more about India. English-speaking Indians and members of the middle class are usually extremely well-informed and well-educated.

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1. Reasons to be afraid

2. A place of wonders

3. Fight your fear

4. How to say thank you

5. Visiting for wild life and animals

6. It’s never late to learn

7. Reading non-verbal language

8. Learn to be grateful

A. Nowadays when it’s all too easy to send an email or text, the best way to show that you are grateful to somebody is to actually mail a hand-written card. The person who gets it will know you took the extra time and thought to write a card and put it in the mail with a nice stamp. That person will appreciate your efforts much more. Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of feeling grateful a little longer than usual as you write out each note and wait for it to arrive.

B. Music is a noble passion, and people who can play a musical instrument have always been seen as intelligent people. Learning how to play a musical instrument is far more efficient if you do it in childhood. However, there are millions of adults who learn to enjoy music throughout their lives. Moreover, they don’t focus on just one instrument, but specialize in two or even more, if they have the time and the necessary ambition.

C. Millions of people avoid air travel each year because of their fear of flying. The fear of accidents happening is probably the most common fear among air travellers. It is an understandable fear, since there have been many aviation accidents throughout history. Some people may have a fear that the plane has some type of malfunction or breakdown, while others may have a fear that the weather or turbulance will affect the plane.

D. Try to understand that being scared is just an illusion that makes you limited and miserable. Take control of your mind and don’t let your imagination create frightening pictures in your head. If you cannot deal with it, you should make attempts to leave your comfort zone. Choose things and activities you are afraid of and meet your worries face to face, because it is impossible to run away from them. Just face your troubles no matter how powerful they may seem.

E. When you get chronically bored with something, your mind gets used to seeing the world negatively. It is necessary to break the chain of negative thoughts and train your mind to notice the best. Just write down 5 things you are thankful for. This way, your mind will change for the better in a while. The thankfulness will open your eyes to the beauty of the world around you and will help you to focus on positive moments in your life.

F. If you go to Ireland, go to isolated distant places in the country, talk to the locals and they will tell you the stories about the mythical Irish place, called the Otherworld. They believe that it is the land of paradise and happiness. In Irish poetry and tales, it is described as a series of islands near Ireland where the various fairytale creatures lived. Also the Otherworld seemed to be able to move from one location to another.

G. Many people can understand the nature of character without talking to the person they are interested in. The gestures and postures usually reflect the mood and the level of the person’s confidence. It’s easy to notice a highly confident person even in a big group of people. They stand in one place without constant moving from place to place, and they always make eye contact with the person they are talking to.

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1. Beautiful water

2. The jewel of Rome

3. Rome layout

4. Built on seven hills

5. From the history of Rome

6. Highs and lows

7. Climate in Rome

8. Key facts

A. Rome is an important historic city of Italy. Rome is located in the central part of the Italian peninsula, on the Tiber River about 15 miles (24 km) inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Once the capital of an ancient republic and empire whose armies were so powerful, now it is the spiritual and physical seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the site of major pinnacles of artistic and intellectual achievement. The city area is 496 square miles; the population is more than 3 million people.

B. For well over a millennium, Rome controlled the life of all civilizations known to Europe, but then it fell into dissolution and disrepair. Physically, economically, politically and militarily helpless by the late Middle Ages, Rome nevertheless remained a world power as an idea. The force of Rome as a lawgiver, teacher, and builder continued to radiate throughout Europe. Rome found glory as the head of Christianity and the capital for arts and eventually won back its power and wealth.

C. The ancient centre of Rome is divided into 22 districts, the names of most dating back to Classical times, while surrounding it are 35 urban sectors that began to be officially absorbed into the municipality after 1911. Within the city limits on the western and northwestern fringes are six large suburbs. About 6 miles (10 km) out from the centre of the city, a belt highway makes a huge circle around the capital, tying together the antiquated roads that led to ancient Rome.

D. Rome’s hot, dry summer days, with high temperatures often above 24 °C, are frequently cooled in the afternoons by a west wind that rises from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city receives roughly 30 inches (750 mm) of precipitation annually; spring and autumn are the rainiest seasons. Frosts and occasional light snowfalls punctuate the otherwise mild winters, when high temperatures average just above 10 °C. A cold, dry wind from the north frequents the city in the winter.

E. The main street in central Rome is Via del Corso, an important thoroughfare since Classical times, when it was the Via Flaminia, the road to the Adriatic. Its present name comes from the horse races that were part of the Roman carnival celebrations. From the foot of the Capitoline Hill, the Corso runs to the Piazza del Popolo and through a gate in the city wall, the Porta del Popolo, there to resume its ancient name. It’s a must to see for any visitor to Rome.

F. Rome is as much a city of fountains as it is of churches or palaces, antiquities or urban problems. The more than 300 monumental fountains are an essential part of Rome’s seductive powers. They are points of personal, often sentimental attachment to the city and have been a source of inspiration for many people of art throughout the history of mankind. They also provide a sense of luxury. One cannot turn them off as they flow all the time.

G. The Roman countryside, also known as the Campagna, was one of the last areas of central Italy to be settled in antiquity. It is important to mention that Rome was built on a defensible hill that dominated the last downstream, high-banked river crossing. This hill, Palatine Hill, was one of a group of hills, traditionally counted as seven, around which the ancient city grew. The other hills are the Capitoline, the Quirinal, the Viminal, the Esquiline, the Caelian, and the Aventine.

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1. Eco-friendly

2. Teen inventor

3. Positive thinking

4. Natural resources

5. More useful information

6. Invented by accident

7. Different task

8. Dangerous behaviour

A. After a major fire swept through London in 1666, destroying two thirds of the city, architects began planning to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren, who by this time had proven himself as a building designer, was responsible for drawing up plans for reconstructing London, but they were not used. Instead, he was asked to build the new St. Paul’s Cathedral. The building had been destroyed in the fire, and while it might have been possible to reconstruct it, a decision was made to build a new cathedral in a modern style.

B. In the past mapmakers used drawings to show where things such as castles and mountains were located. The drawings were large so they could be clearly seen. Such artwork was nice to look at and easy to understand. However, it produced maps that were disorderly and not very detailed. Over time, maps became simpler. Mapmakers replaced pictures with symbols, each symbol representing one particular thing. A map may have different symbols for cities, rivers, lakes, roads, railroad tracks, and so on.

C. The Ural Mountains of Russia form the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia. The Urals are about 2,500 kilometres long. They extend from the Kara Sea in the north to the Ural River in the south. The highest peak is Mount Narodnaya, at 1,895 metres. The economy of the Urals depends on mineral supplies. Mountain mines produce iron ore, copper, chromite, gold, silver, and platinum. Factories make metal goods, chemicals, and machinery. The huge forests of the Urals provide valuable wood.

D. Easton LaChappelle built his first robotic hand using Lego parts, tubing, and electrical tape at age 14. Easton used the Internet to learn programming, electronics, mechanics, and design, and then he created a robotic hand, which won third place at the 2011 Colorado State science fair. At age 17, he built an arm controlled by a wireless headset that communicates brainwaves to the hand. These days, Easton is so well known that he gives talks before adult audiences and is recognized in the 3D and robotics worlds.

E. Which is more important, texting or safety? If you are looking at your phone while walking, you might not see a car approach or traffic light turn red. Texting while walking is unsafe, not only on the road but also in other places. For example, in China, one person drowned in a canal and another got her leg stuck in a drain, because both had their mind on their phone. Some people suggest that we should make texting while crossing the street illegal so we see fewer “smartphone zombies” on the street and keep them alive as humans.

F. For most people, plastic bags are a necessary part of any shopping trip. However, there is an opinion that communities should limit the use of plastic bags. Every year, 485 billion plastic bags are not recycled. Some end up in the ocean and can cause harm to sea life. Placing a small tax on plastic bags might encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to stores. Reusable bags would cut down waste and save the environment. Businesses would also save money by not having to provide as many plastic bags to customers.

G. In a new study, researchers gave a math test to 240 children ages 7 to 10. They found out that when children believed they were good at math, they did better on the test. Previously, scientists thought it was important to enjoy math in order to be good at it. However, the new study shows that it is also important to believe you can become good at something. That is what improves your ability to learn. A good attitude opens the door to higher achievement, which means you then have a better attitude, getting you into a good cycle of learning.

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1. Inspired by nature

2. Wonderful combination

3. Restoring old traditions

4. Protecting the environment

5. Different at different time

6. Chosen as the best among hundreds

7. The closest to the sky

8. Saved from being pulled down

A. Sydney Opera House was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Its planning began in the 1940s, as the existing building for large theatrical productions was not large enough. The Opera House was designed by a Danish architect Jorn Utzon whose design was selected as the winning one among 232 other entries in an international design competition. The formal inauguration of the building took place on 20 October 1973.

B. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 in Paris. It was designed as an entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair and named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. However, initially the plan was to make it stand for only twenty years since its construction. The City had planned to tear it down in 1909, but as the tower proved to be valuable for the image of the city, it was allowed to remain. Now it has become the symbol of the city, seen as one of the World’s wonders.

C. The Electric Forest Festival, which started less than a decade ago, is a four-day multi-genre event, held in Rothbury, Michigan. The main focus of the event is upon electronic and jam bands. But what captures the eyes is a special atmosphere during this festival. The surrounding environment becomes a kaleidoscope of laser light shows. The mixture of electronic lights and the sounds appeal to different senses and together create a unique, surreal, magical experience.

D. Casa Mila, designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, is one of Barcelona’s World Heritage sites and is one of the most visited attractions the city has to offer. The building is also known as “La Pedrera” translated as the Stone wave, because of the facade which is made up completely with natural stones and does not have any straight lines. Gaudi explained it by the fact that straight lines cannot be found anywhere in the wild landscape and it can be made only by men.

E. To mark the end of the Christmas season, Shetland in Scotland celebrates a variety of fire festivals every year. The most interesting of them is held at the capital, where this practice was born as early as in 1876, when strong men dragged barrels with burning tar on sledges. Today, thousands of people dress up in period-clothes. The procession burns down the model of a Viking ship. The brightness of the fire and men in clothes of the long-gone era make a spectacle show.

F. Burj Khalifa is an 829.8 m skyscraper in Dubai. It is the tallest structure in the world. There are hotels, residences and observational laboratories in the 163 floors of the building. It’s not only the tallest building in the world, it is also the tallest freestanding structure in the world, has the highest number of stories in the world, highest occupied floor in the world, highest outdoor observation deck in the world, and an elevator with the longest travel distance in the world.

G. The Taj Mahal is an architectural marvel made of white marble situated on the banks of the river Yamuna in Agra, India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Nowadays around 8 million tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. They come to see the changing colors of the Taj Mahal, which change from pink in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night when lit by the moon.

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1. More advantages at the job market

2. How long does it take?

3. Using different resources

4. Available to everybody

5. Cheaper than usual

6. Fewer possibilities

7. Types of distance learning

8. Not for everybody

A. Thanks to technology innovation, distance learning has always involved more than reading texts and writing essays or assignments. Virtual microscopes, interactive laboratories and online collaborations have taken the place of home experiment kits sent by post, while late night TV programmes have been replaced by DVDs and online interactive videos. Distance teaching universities can nowadays choose from many methods to support learning.

B. The delivery method of distance learning programmes varies. Although many courses are taught entirely online, some schools also give students an opportunity to meet face-to-face with tutors and classmates several times a year. In other situations, students will do all their work online and are only required to attend specific locations for exams. Others may attend weekly lectures in addition to completing work online. This combined system is known as blended learning.

C. Employers can be especially impressed by people who have studied for a distance learning qualification. The CEO of a large international consulting firm recently commented that he would value more favourably a graduate from a distance learning MBA who had achieved the same results as a graduate from similar on-campus programme because it takes more commitment, enthusiasm, time and energy from the student to achieve this result.

D. Distance learning requires self-discipline and determination and would not suit someone with no motivation to study on his or her own, who needs the structure of a traditional learning environment, or with simply no time for studying. Although it is possible to still have time for family and professional commitments while attending a distance education school, it does not mean there will be less work than at residential school. E. The length of online university courses varies depending on whether you’ll be studying fullor part-time, the level of the qualification, and the subject of study. For the majority of fulltime undergraduate programmes, the timeframe is similar to a traditional bachelor’s course of three or four years. For part-time courses, your studies may take additional two or three years. Most online university courses will give a specific time period within which students must complete their studies.

F. One of the leading providers of online education in the UK is the Open University. Fees at the Open University vary depending on whether you study part-time or full-time, but the average cost for full-time is ?5,264 annually for three years. This is approximately ?3,700 less per year than enrolling at a campus-based UK university as a home student, and considerably less than the amount international students would pay to study in the UK.

G. In the last few years another type of online education has appeared – MOOCs (massive open online courses). These are free online education programmes that anyone can sign up to, typically offered by well-known universities. They now cover a wide range of subjects. As MOOCs are free and open to all with access to the internet, they are useful for people of all ages and professional backgrounds who are keen to learn a new skill or gain information about a particular subject.

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1. Ways to save

2. Inexpensive but unreliable

3. For warmer seasons

4. Far from busy cities

5. Do not get confused

6. Options to choose from

7. The least popular

8. Both benefits and downsides

A. The first big decision when visiting England is whether to travel by private car or use the extensive public transport system. Having your own car means you can make the best use of time and reach remote places, but rental and fuel costs can be expensive, and there are always traffic delays to put up with. Public transport, which includes a reliable system of trains and coaches (buses), is often the better choice for getting around in the United Kingdom. Aside from London, England’s city centres with multiple pedestrian streets are very walkable, too.

B. For long-distance travel around England, trains are generally faster and more comfortable than buses but are usually much more expensive. The English like to moan about their trains, but around 85% run on time, and major stations are well-equipped – with super helpful staff and a range of food outlets. If you leave booking your ticket to the last minute, fares can be disproportionally high, so it is always worth booking as far in advance as you can. Sometimes buying two single tickets can be cheaper than buying a return.

C. Long-distance buses are known as coaches in the UK, and services run between most major towns and cities. If you are on a tight budget, coaches are nearly always the cheapest way to get around England, although they are also the slowest and sometimes late. If you book early or travel at off-peak periods, coach tickets can be very cheap. If you are going to the airport, then take a faster train or taxi for peace of mind that you will make it in time for your flight. The two major coach companies are National Express and Megabus.

D. Travelling by car or motorcycle around England means you have more independence and flexibility, and you can reach more remote parts of the country. Minuses for drivers include regular traffic jams, the high price of fuel, the cost of insurance, and parking fees in cities and tourist towns. Compared with many countries, car-hire is expensive in England. If you have time, by using a mix of train, bus, taxi, walking and occasionally hiring a bike, you can get almost anywhere in England without having to drive.

E. Hiring a bike – for an afternoon, a day, or a week or longer – is a great way to really explore a small region or see England’s great outdoors. Some cities have bike-share schemes, while others have longer-term bike-rental shops. England also has a growing network of long-distance cycling routes that may inspire you to explore more of the country by bicycle. Only a handful of cities have an adequate system of dedicated bike lanes, so it is best to enjoy cycling in more rural and off-the beaten-track locations, particularly during the warmer seasons.

F. England doesn’t have a big network of domestic flights due to its small size, but there are some long cross-country routes that are awkward, costly and time-consuming if you travel by train (e.g. the trip from Exeter or Southampton to Newcastle). However, you’ll still pay at least a hundred pounds for one of these flights, and the time saved becomes less beneficial once transit times and the journey to and from the airport are taken into account. Considering the short distances and high carbon cost, many people prefer not to fly.

G. English cities usually have good public-transport systems. These services can be run by a puzzling number of separate companies. There is usually enough information at each stop or station to find the right one. Staff in tourist offices are always happy to help. Local bus services work year-round in cities and towns, except on Christmas Day, and sometimes also Boxing Day. Sundays also see fewer services. CityMapper is a handy app for planning the quickest journey between points, especially if you are combining transport options.

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1. For the strong and adventurous

2. Conquering cold waves

3. Watching predators and prey

4. How locals live and entertain

5. Nature and activities to enjoy

6. Impressive but difficult to reach

7. Hot water, cold air

8. Closer to wildlife

A. At the edge of Russia, on the Pacific Ocean, there is the distinctive Kamchatka peninsula, famous for its rich natural diversity. This land is surrounded by rough ocean waters, in the interior lie fiery volcanoes and boiling, steaming geysers. Some 300 volcanoes, 29 of which are active, make up nearly 40% of the peninsula. But Kamchatka’s landscapes and natural diversity are not the only things to attract the travellers from far and wide: the area is also rich in opportunities for extreme sports. Make your adventures in Kamchatka unforgettable.

B. Surfing in Bali is no big deal these days: the hot sun, the warm ocean, coconuts, bananas… We’ve seen it all! How about surfing in the chilly waters of the Pacific in Kamchatka? One of Kamchatka’s best surf destinations is Khalaktyrsky beach. You can catch waves here almost all year long: the hardiest of surfers are ready to jump in in sub-zero temperatures. Naturally, the best time to surf is summer when surf schools and equipment rental places are open for business. You don’t feel the cold in a wetsuit!

C. The Kamchatka peninsula is washed by the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea to the northeast and by the Sea of Okhotsk to the west. One of the best ways to explore the rugged coastline is to take a long trip by kayak. On the water, you’ll find yourself face to face with wild nature: you can get acquainted with sea lions, seals, killer whales and other sea creatures, and see the most beautiful, secluded bays, islands, headlands and lakes inland. You’re going to be taking numerous pictures of the seals and sea lions as they bask in the sun.

D. With vast numbers of fish, it is no wonder that Lake Kuril attracts over 200 Kamchatka brown bears who visit the lake to fish. Across the whole peninsula, there are around 20,000 bears altogether – that’s one bear to every 15 human inhabitants. Over the years, the animals on Lake Kuril have adapted to life alongside humans. Therefore, you can observe the bears and their prey close up as they show no signs of aggression. An experienced guide knows exactly where to observe them to make your adventure absolutely safe.

E. Discovered as recently as 1941, the Valley of Geysers in the Kronotsky Reserve in Kamchatka is one of the world’s largest geyser fields and is the only one in Eurasia. In a cramped 8 square kilometer piece of land there are over 40 powerful spouting geysers, not to mention hot springs, mud pools, thermal sites, waterfalls, all surrounded by volcanoes. As dangerous as any of these places seem, there are special paths for travellers. You can only get to the valley by air, so take a helicopter tour and face the raw power of Mother Nature.

F. If you feel comfortable on the runs at Alpine resorts and consider yourself experienced, Kamchatka will surprise you: imagine skiing down the slopes of an active volcano with breathtaking views over the Pacific! This is no fantasy: we suggest experienced riders try heli-skiing! Fly to the highest volcanoes’ peaks by helicopter, then enjoy the buzz of skiing the untouched slopes with awesome views of the not-so-distant Pacific. Such an activity requires skiers to be in great shape physically, and to have the love of an adrenaline rush.

G. Kamchatka is a very harsh place to live, yet people have lived here for centuries. In order to survive, they had to learn to live in harmony with nature. That led to the development of rituals that are still performed. When you visit, you can see how the indigenous people of Kamchatka have been living for generations in the village of Pimchakh that is open to visitors. Shortage of snow is never an issue, so the locals happily indulge in competitive and recreational dog sled races. You should certainly put a short dog sled trip on your bucket list.

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1. Famous cats

2. Books about cats

3. Figuratively speaking

4. Cats through history

5. Cats in cinematography

6. Why keep a cat?

7. A cat in your mobile

8. A cat or a dog?

A. Cats are among the most popular pets in the world. People love them because they are very smart, agile, sly and independent. The most common reasons why people choose cats as pets are because they are beautiful, clean, low maintenance and mostly self sufficient. Cats may not demonstrate their love and affection for their master openly but they do it in very subtle ways. Cats can sense your mood, especially your depression, and try to help you to get out of this bad emotional state.

B. Cats have been around humans for centuries and their perception by humans has varied over time. In ancient Egypt, for example, cats were almost considered gods. We know of Bastet, a domestic feline goddess of motherhood. Killing a cat, even by accident, was a serious crime. Still, there were times when cats were considered to bring bad luck, like in Europe in the Middle Ages. So, from country to country and from epoch to epoch, the attitude of people to cats has changed greatly.

C. Among the most enjoyable of reads are adult fiction cat stories. There is a certain something about cat characters. They demonstrate resourcefulness like no human can. Their inventiveness and creativity are magical and they can do incredible things. One of top book cats is Oliver from the story The Cat Who Saved Christmas by Sheila Norton. Another author who loves writing fictional stories about cats is Rita Mae Brown. Share these ones with kids – they’ll love them!

D. Cats rule the Internet, but not all cats were created equal. Some of the cats are A-listers whether they are famous for their good looks or their remarkable stories. One of such cats is The Grumpy Cat as it always looks annoyed. There is also the Business Cat Emilio that lives in one of the offices of a big corporation and wears a collar and a tie. It’s supposed to bring luck to the firm. The Queen of the Internet is Venus, a cat whose face is half black half red plus its eyes are blue and green.

E. Not every parent is eager to get a cat as a pet for their kids. However, children, especially girls, want to get a cat so much that they buy fluffy cat toys and everything with cats on it – dresses, handbags, notebooks and so on. Now a cat lover can download a special App in their mobile and enjoy washing, feeding and stroking a virtual cat. The cat may even talk to you and play games with you. That seems to be a good solution for those who are not inclined to get a real cat.

F. Everybody likes cats, so these fluffy creatures are often featured in films, sometimes even as one of the main characters. In fact, cats are as much loved as dogs, so it’s a safe bet to make a film about cats. Still, cats are much more difficult to train than dogs so there also tend to be fewer cat movies compared to dog movies. Cat lovers also enjoy fictional cats and cats in cartoons. Actually, in some people’s opinion, cartoons about cats are even better than feature films.

G. Learning English you come across a lot of idioms with the word cat. The meaning of many such expressions can be easily guessed by a non-native speaker of English. For example, you hear the phrase to let the cat out of the bag, you immediately understand it means a secret has been revealed. Some of these expressions, though, are difficult to understand. For example, if a person is a cool cat, he or she is fashionable, and a fat cat means a person who is quite rich.

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1. The transport system

2. From the history of Madrid

3. A rich place

4. Key facts

5. Late to bed, late to rise

6. The city and its geography

7. Something for anyone

8. A city of variety

A. Madrid is the capital of Spain. It is also Spain’s arts and financial centre. Madrid was officially made the national capital by Philip III, an entire generation after Philip II took the court to Madrid in 1561. Under the patronage of Philip II and his successors, Madrid developed into a city of curious contrasts, preserving its old, overcrowded centre, around which developed palaces, convents, churches, and public buildings. The population of the city now is more than 3 million people.

B. Madrid lies almost exactly at the geographical heart of the Iberian Peninsula. It is situated on a plateau of sand and clay at an elevation of some 2,120 feet (646 metres) above sea level, making it one of the highest-located capitals in Europe. This location is partly responsible for the weather pattern of cold, crisp winters accompanied by sharp winds. Sudden variations of temperature are possible, but summers are consistently dry and hot. Autumn is the best season for visitors.

C. Madrid is a city of contrasting styles, reflecting clearly the different periods in which change and development took place. The old centre, a maze of small streets around a few squares in the vicinity of the imposing Plaza Mayor, contrasts with the Neoclassical buildings and grand boulevards created by the best architects of their day. Modern office buildings in the centre and apartment blocks around the outskirts reflect the styles and economic realities of present-day development.

D. The local population of Madrid is often referred to as ‘cats’, partly due to the local lifestyle and the late hours kept by the city’s inhabitants, although keeping late hours is also common in other parts of Spain, especially in the heat of summer. People eat late, theatres and cinemas begin performances late, and the siesta is by no means dead, although the introduction of modern business methods and the influx of foreign interests have tended to alter the traditional workday.

E. Being the centre of government, finance, and insurance has long contributed to the prosperity of the capital, as have tourism and the city’s position as Spain’s transportation hub. Following the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 39), the city became an important manufacturing centre for the automotive and aircraft industries and for electric and electronic equipment, metallurgical manufactures, and optics, as well as for the production of plastics, rubber, and consumer goods.

F. The road and rail systems both come to the capital from all corners of the country. A subway system, the Metro, serves Madrid with various lines that extend throughout the city. Barajas Airport – Madrid’s international airport – lies about 8 miles (13 km) east of the city. A motorway (expressway) system encircles Madrid in a roughly pentagonal shape, coming to a point in the south. Other major motorways radiate from the encircling artery in all directions.

G. Modern Madrid has attractions for all people. Las Ventas, which is the largest bullring in Spain with a capacity of some 25,000 people, is where you can watch famous Spanish bullfights. For football fans there is always a game of football to watch at any of the stadiums located in Madrid. The verbenas, special fiestas held in each quarter in honour of its patron saint, are popular events, especially during warm weather. There are more than 40 parks and public gardens, churches and museums.

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1. The beginning of animation

2. Language differences

3. Fewer than in real life

4. Important rules

5. Keep it simple

6. Different parts in one

7. Drawn secretly

8. The best drawn character

A. While all of the characters and places in Disney’s animation film “Hercules” have Greek names, there’s one character that doesn’t: Hercules! Like “Mars” is for “Ares” and “Neptune” is for “Poseidon”, “Hercules” is actually the Roman name for the Greek figure “Heracles”. If the movie was consistent, the movie’s main character and title would be “Heracles”. However, Disney executives chose the Roman “Hercules” because they said it was more familiar to the general public.

B. In 1888, French scientist Charles-Emile Reynaud invented a device called the Theatre Optique. It could project a strip of pictures onto a screen. Reynaud painted individual images onto flexible strips of gel to run through the projection system. He made three animated short films to demonstrate his invention. The first was a 12-15 minute film called “Poor Pierrot”, which was shown in 1892. Some consider this to be the first animated movie.

C. The most common mistake which beginner animators make when they think of a story idea is that their plot is too detailed and long. It’s great to have an imagination and visualization of an epic storyline that involves lots of characters and several plot lines. But it’s important to keep in mind that the time frame and the available resources are usually limited. For a beginner, it’s more sensible to work on a story that is not too complicated and easy to follow.

D. One of the most difficult tasks in making “Beauty and the Beast” film was the animation of the beast. In the end, the character’s face and body represented a combination of several animals. Glen Keane, an experienced Disney animator, included the mane of a lion, the beard and head shape of a buffalo, the tusks and nose bridge of a wild boar, the stronglymuscled brows of a gorilla, the legs and tail of a wolf, and the big and bulky body of a bear.

E. A lot of cartoon characters have four fingers on their hands instead of five. The reason is simple – hands with four fingers are easier to draw and animate. Cartoon characters are always simplified versions of their real life equivalents. Four-fingered hand saves a lot of time in animating and it really does not make any difference to us while watching. It all started with the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon. Walt Disney said that this was both an artistic and financial decision.

F. Animators have hidden representations of Mickey Mouse in most of the Disney films and all of the parks. It started as a joke between Walt Disney and other animators and became a tradition carried out for decades. “Hidden Mickeys” usually consist of three circles drawn to represent Mickey’s head and ears, but sometimes they draw Mickey in a crowd scene. Nowadays people have made a game out of searching for Hidden Mickeys in Disney movies.

G. Disney’s Twelve Basic Principles of Animation is a set of principles of animation introduced by the Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their 1981 book “The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation”. Johnston and Thomas based their book on the work of the leading Disney animators, and their effort to produce more realistic animations. The book and some of its principles have been adopted by some traditional studios. Many people call it the “Bible of animation”.