A Great Character
0 Life is not always easy. Sometimes it presents serious problems that make people sad and cause despair. At such times it might be good to think about the example of Helen Keller, born in America in1880. She never gave in.
1 There was nothing wrong with Helen when she was born. Her parents were very proud of their pretty baby. She was able to walk when she was one and could even say a few words. But one day she refused to eat and started crying. She had a high temperature and they had to call the doctor. When she recovered, it was clear that little Helen would never again be able to see or hear. Before Helen Keller was even two she was blind and deaf.
2 Her parents were very upset and at first decided to let her grow untaught. But soon they understood that their pity could not help her, but could do her a lot of harm. They did their best to find a good teacher from the Institution for the Blind in Boston. It was a wonderful day for Helen Keller when Ann Sullivan came to their place. Ann by great effort and patience taught Helen the meaning of words.
3 When Ann arrived she was only 20, and Helen – 7. From the first day they became good friends. Helen turned out a very capable pupil: she quickly learned to communicate through sign language and later was good at reading, writing and typing in Braille. For fifty years they were good companions till 1936, when Ann died. It was due to the patience and skill of Ann Sullivan that Helen Keller developed into one of the most remarkable women of our time.
4 Miss Sullivan loved her pupil who was so quick to learn. She lived with Helen, played with her, and worked with her every hour of the day. By means of the hand language, Helen and her teacher were able to talk to each other. By this time she was also able to go on a vacation trip, to swim, to ride a pony, and to do many of the other things that any other child might do.
5 Helen was determined that she would learn to speak, too. At first she had difficulty with her speech, but Ann Sullivan understood what she was trying to say. Helen practiced speaking day after day until at last she developed a clear voice. Later she was able to speak before large crowds which came to hear her whenever she
(Reading Practice)
lectured.
6 When Helen Keller completed formal schooling she went on to college. She graduated from Radcliff with honours. One of Helen Keller’s professors was so pleased with the things that she wrote for her English classes that he suggested she write the story of her life. Helen did write “The Story of My Life” while she was in college. It was such a cheerful account of how this young girl was able to live a happy, useful life in spite of terrible difficulties. In her writings and lectures Helen Keller did everything possible to help and encourage those who were blind.
Tasks:
0 We should look at the example of Helen Keller because … .
a) her life was easy
b) her life caused despair
c) she refused to be defeated
d) she was born in America
1 Helen was deaf and blind because … .
a) she was born like that
b) she had a complication after her illness
c) she had had a car accident
d) her parents were deaf and blind
2 Helen’s parents found her a good teacher
from Boston because … .
a) they didn’t want her to go to an ordinary
school
b) they wanted her to grow untaught
c) they pitied Helen
d) they knew the teacher could work with blind
children
3 Helen was a very bright pupil. As a result
she … .
a) learnt the meanings of words and the hand
language quickly
b) invented the system of Braille
c) began to teach herself
d) helped Ann Sullivan
4 Helen Keller was a fast learner because … .
a) she could see again
b) she played every hour of the day
c) she started talking
d) her teacher always helped her
5 Later Helen could give lectures before large crowds as … .
a) she developed a clear voice
b) people understood sign language
c) Ann Sullivan worked as an interpreter
Задание на логику построения
текста
В тексте изменена последовательность его частей. Решите, в каком порядке должны следовать части этого текста, и запишите эту последовательность соответствующими буквами.
A He summoned the best artists and architects from India, Turkey, Persia and finally, the design was completed. It took more than twenty thousand men working over a period of 18 years to build the Taj Mahal, one of the most
beautiful buildings in the world.
B The emperor planned to build an identical construction of black marble for himself on the other side of the river connected by a silver bridge. But his son imprisoned him in the palace before he could finish, and for the rest of his life, he could only look across the river at the beautiful building of Taj Mahal – the tomb of his beloved.
C In the year 1630 this beloved wife of the emperor died. He was so broken-hearted that he thought of giving up his throne. He decided, out of love for his wife, to build her the most beautiful tomb that had ever been seen.
6 In her book “The Story of My Life” Helen … .
a) wrote about her friend Ann
b) described her school life
c) showed the way to overcome the difficulties
d) gave a true picture of her cheerful friends
THE TAJ MAHAL
D The building itself stands on a marble platform 313 feet square 22 feet high. Minarets, or tall towers, rise from each of the four corners. The Taj Mahal itself rises another 200 feet into the air. It is an eight-sided building made of white marble, and inlaid with twelve kinds of semi-precious stones in floral design as well as with black marble inscriptions from the Koran. The building materials came from many countries, including Arabia, Egypt, Tibet, and various parts of India.
E Three hundred years ago, there lived in India an emperor called Shah Jahan. His favourite wife was a beautiful and intelligent woman whom he loved greatly and made his counselor and constant companion. Her title was Mumtazi Mahal; its shortened form Taj Mahal, means “pride of the place”.
Reading Test V-1
I. Churchill to the King
Sir,
As Prime Minister & Minister of Defense, I ought to be allowed to go where I consider it necessary to the discharge of my duty, & I do not admit that the Cabinet have any right to put restrictions on my freedom of movement.
I must earnestly ask Your Majesty that no principle shall be laid down which inhibits my freedom of movement when I judge it necessary to acquaint myself with conditions in the various theatres of war.
Since Your Majesty does me the honour to be so much concerned about my personal safety on this occasion, I must defer to Your Majesty’s wishes & indeed commands. It is a great comfort to me to know that they arise from Your Majesty’s desire to continue me in your service.
Your Majesty’s humble & devoted servant & subject,
Winston S. Churchill
II. The Maelor Hospital at Wrexham, Clwyd, is spending thousands of pounds on theft-proof wheelchairs to stop them disappearing after 60 were stolen in eight months. The replacements сannot be folded up into the boot of a car. “We have no idea why so many should have gone. If people need them, then all they have to do is to ask”, said a hospital spokesman yesterday.
III. For athletes.
By Shantal Thompson, NandoNext Staff.
Ray Beard, a senior at High School, keeps cool during a workout. Student athletes collectively spend millions of dollars each year to play their respective sports. School-required physicals, name-brand shoes, appropriate practice clothing and so on all add up.
The cheapest, but perhaps most overlooked, necessity for any sport is water. Everyone must drink water, but it’s especially important for athletes.
Athletes lose enormous amounts of fluids while exercising. As the body’s temperature rises, it perspires to cool down. When athletes do not drink enough water, their bodies do not have enough fluids to produce sweat; this process is called dehydration.
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В своём письме У. Черчилль …
1. … одобряет решение Кабинета относительно своего участия в военных действиях.
2. … высказывает сомнения относительно планов военных действий.
3. … пытается убедить Короля в необходимости своего участия в военных действиях.
4. … предлагает Королю возглавить военную операцию.
В чём заключается проблема персонала госпиталя?
1. Инвалидные коляски, используемые в госпитале, не удобны для транспортировки.
2. Инвалидных колясок не хватает для всех нуждающихся в них больных.
3. Инвалидные коляски постоянно крадутся больными.
4. Большая часть инвалидных колясок была украдена восемь месяцев тому назад.
В заметке подчёркивается важность для спортсменов …
1. … удобной одежды.
2. … фирменной спортивной обуви.
3. … питьевой воды.
4. … поливитаминов.
IV. Hull Loses Monopoly
Oftel, the telecoms watchdog, yesterday ended nine decades of local telephone independence by giving BT the right to extend its services.
The Humberside city has had its own telephone company, Kingston Communications, since the turn of the century. BT has not been allowed to operate in the area. But after a four-month review, Oftel announced it was ending the local monopoly. The prospect of BT moving into the area was not welcomed by residents.
Oftel is proposing to charge telecom companies for phone numbers in an effort to make them se those already allocated to them more efficiently. Oftel says operators only use about 40 per cent of their numbers.
V. “Is The Way to Happiness the entirety of the court program you use?”
No, it’s just the first step. It became apparent that The Way to Happiness was really opening up these teenagers to things that most of us have learned about values and about life but which they simply had not gotten before. And after studying the booklet, these kids would have certain realizations about where they had been going in their lives. There would be an immediate, visible change when they began to apply the booklet. And it really is immediate.
From this point on, we have to work on what I think of as structure, their education. We help them with their study, and especially their study techniques, and with their classes. Also we have the talk with their parents. Only in this way can they go on and choose a productive career for themselves.
В заметке говорится о …
1. … необходимости расширения телефонных услуг в Хамберсайде.
2. … желании местных жителей пользоваться услугами только своей компании.
3. … необходимости сохранения монополии местной телефонной компании.
4. … возможных путях расширения телефонных услуг за счёт появления новой компании.
Из буклета «Путь к счастью» подростки узнают …
1. об актуальных проблемах современного общества.
2. … роли нравственных ценностей в их жизни.
3. … о проблемах современной молодёжи.
4. … о путях становления современной психологии.
Reading Test V-2
I. The King to Churchill
My dear Winston,
I want to make one more appeal to you not to go to sea. Please consider my own position. I am a younger man than you, I am a sailor & as King I am the head of all three services. There is nothing I would like better than to go to sea but I have agreed to stay at home. Is it fair that you should do exactly what I should have liked to do myself? You said yesterday afternoon, that it would be a fine thing for the King to lead his troops into battle, as in old days, if the King cannot do that, it does not seem to me to be right that his Prime Minister should take his place. Then there is your own position, you will see very little, you will run a considerable risk, you will be inaccessible at a critical time when vital decisions might have to be taken, and your presence on board is bound to be a very heavy additional responsibility to the Admiral & Captain.
I ask you most earnestly to consider the whole question again & not let your personal wishes, which I very well understand, lead you to depart from your own high standard of duty to the state.
Yours very sincerely, George RI
II. Pensioners Poppit Hearing Aid
A tiny Poppit amplifier is now available for all pensioners. Indeed it is ideal for anyone whose hearing may need a boost from time to time.
It is safe and simple to use and easily popped into the ear just when needed. It can be personally tuned so that it is suitable for slight, mild or moderate hearing difficulty.
Unlike most bearing devices the Pensioners Poppit does not need expensive personal fitting – so it costs a lot less than half the price of most other hearing aids!
With its ease of use and low price the Poppit is rapidly proving to be Britain’s most popular hearing device. To show how tiny and comfortable the Pensioners Poppit can be, the British manufacturers have produced 1500 actual size models (non-functioning) to be sent FREE and without obligation to all readers of this newspaper who are interested in better hearing.
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В своём письме король Георг …
1. …сообщает премьер-министру о своём намерении отправиться в морское плавание.
2. … просит премьер-министра отправиться в морское плавание.
3. … интересуется здоровьем премьер-министра.
4. …пытается отговорить премьер-министра от рискованного мероприятия.
Что является отличительной чертой данного слухового аппарата?
Данный аппарат …
1. … прост в использовании.
2. … удобен в использовании.
3. … можно получить в любой больнице бесплатно.
4. … можно купить дешевле, чем аналоги.
III. Richard the Lionheart, perhaps the most famous warrior King of England, was blessed with the physical prowess, skill and charisma necessary to enable him to indulge successfully in his obsession with war. This tall, athletic man adept in knightly arts of the day also had an interest in poetry but spoke little English. He has been described as an absentee King who only seems to have spent around six months in England during his whole reign. Much of his first year as King was spent raining funds to pay for the third crusade which lasted 1189-1192.
IV. My degrees are in an art with a background in engineering. So I suppose my initial approaches had something of an engineering flavour to it. The way I see the problem of new generation is the following: the children really don’t have a foundation upon which to build their lives, they don’t really have any real structure to their lives, and they lacked any kind of veneer that would enable them to get along well with others and make productive careers for themselves. It seems obvious that the first place to start is to help them find a real foundation of moral values.
But when we, teachers and parents, started to look around for a model of values we could incorporate into some kind of programme.
V. A History of Mother’s Day
In the United States, Julia Ward Howe suggested the idea of Mother’s Day in 1872. Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia is credited with bringing about the official observance of Mother’s Day.
But Jarvis’ accomplishment soon turned bitter for her. Enraged by the commercialization of the holiday, she filed a lawsuit to stop a 1923 Mother’s Day festival and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a war mothers’ convention where women sold white carnations – Jarvis’ symbol for mothers – to raise money. When she died in 1948, at age 84, Jarvis had become a woman of great ironies. Never a mother herself, her maternal fortune dissipated by her efforts to stop the commercialization of the holiday she had founded. Jarvis told a reporter shortly before her death that she was sorry she had ever started Mother’s Day. She spoke these words in a nursing home where every Mother’s Day her room had been filled with cards from all over the world.
Чем, согласно отрывку, выделяется в истории Англии король Ричард Львиное Сердце?
1. Король был самым сильным королём Великобритании.
2. Король говорил на нескольких языках, но не знал английского.
3. Король провёл всего лишь шесть месяцев в Англии за всё своё правление.
4. Король впервые ввёл рыцарские турниры при королевском дворе.
Согласно автору, основная проблема молодёжи заключается в том, что …
1. у неё отсутствуют моральные основы существования.
2. у неё нет взаимопонимания с родителями.
3. у неё отсутствует интерес и желание получить образование.
4. у неё отсутствует ощущение принадлежности к определённой социальной группе.
Перед смертью Анна Джарвис сказал, что она …
1. счастлива, что праздник «День Матери» существует.
2. счастлива, что люди помнят её как инициатора празднования «Дня Матери».
3. сожалеет, что подала идею празднования «Дня Матери».
4. хотела бы отметить свой последний праздник «День Матери» в кругу семьи.
Reading Test V-3
I. Former conglomerate BTR, which is transforming itself into an engineering-only group, has sold its aerospace business to independent fund manager Doughty Hanson for &510 million.
The group has disposed of &3.7 billion of assets since September 1996, when it decided to divest its non-engineering operations and any of its specialist engineering businesses that did not have a global reach. Since 1996 BTR has sold a raft of non-engineering businesses, including packaging, bottling and building product firms. Today Doughty Hanson is acquiring BTR’s aero-engine repair unit, its Dunlop Aviation business, which makes aircraft brake systems, Aero Engine Equipment, which makes engine components.
It hoped to benefit from the increased outsourcing of aircraft repair and overhaul by airlines and air forces around the world.
II. Margaret Dauncey lived in an art studio near the Boulevard Montparnasse with Susie Boyd. That afternoon Arthur was coming to see them. The young women were exciting him. Susie was looking forward to the meeting with interest. She had heard a great deal about the young man, and knew about his romance with Margaret. For years Susie had led the monotonous life of a teacher in a school for young ladies, and when Margaret, who had been her pupil, told her of her intention to spend a couple of years in Paris to study art, Susie willingly agreed to accompany her. She had a great affection for Margaret and with almost maternal pride watched how each year added new charm to her extraordinary beauty. She was proud to think that she would hand over to Arthur Burdon a woman character she had helped to form.
(Magician, by S. Maugham)
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Отметьте выбранный Вами ответ.
Какое будущее может быть у некогда главенствующего на Британском рынке конгломерата?
Согласно заметке, данный конгломерат …
1. не может иметь будущего, так как его фонды были распроданы.
2. может занять достойное место на рынке, выпуская упаковочную тару.
3. имеет возможность снова заняться авиационной инженерией.
4. существует возможность заняться строительством.
Как Сюзи оказалась в Париже?
1. Сюзи поехала в Париж брать уроки живописи.
2. Сюзи наскучила её монотонная жизнь и она решила сменить обстановку.
3. Маргарет попросила Сюзи сопровождать её в путешествии.
4. Сюзи хотела познакомиться с женихом Маргарет и поэтому приехала навестить её.
III. Today, there are Pizzerias in Italy, saloons in America, tapas bars in Spain, the sidewalk cafés of France and the village pubs in England. The Earl of St. Vincent is just such a place, where travellers, friends, business people or that special, romantic party of just two, can meet to enjoy a drink and eat a traditional food in relaxed and informal surroundings. At the Earl of St. Vincent we offer a choice of menu to suit all tastes, there are fish courses, grill and poultry, salad and vegetarian and a comprehensive “Chef’s Special” board. Below is a sample of our menu just to tempt you. Chef’s Specials – Steak au Poivre – Roast Duckling – Tournedos Rossini. Grills & Poultry – Chicken Breast in Leek & Stilton sauce – Chicken Breast filled with Lobster & Prawn sauce – Fillet, Sirloin & Rump Steaks.
IV. Dear Sir,
I am writing to say that I, for one, believe that the parks of London are London’s greatest glory. Yet, Londoners, knowing that they have within walking distance of wherever they live a green and open space, often take their parks for granted. We visitors, on the other hand, from Tokyo, New York and Stockholm, do not. We realize how unique are London’s parks, and readily admit that no other city in the world is so richly endowed with parks.
Yours sincerely.
V. Indian Corn
Corn was a very important crop for the people of the Northeast woodland. It was the main food and was eaten at every meal. Some of the corn was dried to preserve and keep it for food throughout the winter months. Corn meal could be used to make cornbread, corn pudding, corn syrup, or could be mixed with beans to make succotash. Boiling corn meal and maple syrup made a special dessert. All parts of the corn plant were used. Nothing was thrown away.
Corn was unknown to the Europeans before they met the Indians. Indians gave them the seeds and taught them how to grow it. Today in the USA, more farmland is used to grow corn (60 million acres) than any other grain.
(From: Woodland Culture Area,
Ross Fernandes, 1979)
Данный текст рекламирует …
1. гостиницу.
2. паб.
3. традиционные британские блюда.
4. экологически чистые продукты питания.
Автор написал письмо, чтобы …
1. выразить восхищение жителями Лондона.
2. поделиться своими впечатлениями о поездке в Лондон.
3. рассказать о своём желании жить недалеко от парка.
4. сказать о неумении людей ценить то, что находится рядом с ними.
В данном тексте речь идёт о …
1. возможных путях использования кукурузы.
2. переработке зерновых культур.
3. наиболее популярных в Америке продуктах питания.
4. правилах посева зерновых культур.
Reading Test V-4
I. Extract from the “Pepy’s Diary”
9th February 1667.
Read a piece of a play, “Every man in his Humour”, wherein is the greatest propriety of speech that ever I read in my life; so to bed. This noon come my wife’s watchmaker, and received 12 pounds of me for her watch, but Captain Rolf coming to speak with me about a little business, he did judge of the work to be very good and so I am well contented.
10th February 1667.
Home, where come Mr. Carter, my old acquaintance of Magdalene College, who has not been here for many years. We had much talk of all our acquaintance of the College, concerning their various fortunes.
II. Easy-to-make Costumes
TV Set. Get a cardboard box about as big as a TV and tape shut into a cube. Cut armholes and opening at top for child’s head. Draw a favourite show in the “monitor”.
Ladybug. Cut two large circles out of cardboard. Paint the circles red with black dots. Poke two holes at the top of each circle tie together to make a sandwich board body.
Statue of Liberty. Use a white pillow case decorated with gold stars at neck and hem as the gown. Make a gold crown. Carry a paper-tube torch.
Skeleton. Dress child in black sweats. Cut simple bones from white self-adhesive vinyl (contact paper). Peel off backing and stick bones onto fabric. Paint face with white makeup. Add black around the eyes, nose and lips with eyeliner pencil. Cover head with white ski cap or tube of white knit fabric.
Pirate. Put on an old vest, tuck baggy pants into knee-high boots, add an eye patch, turban, moustache, sword and bag of gold.
III. Robber’s Remorse
Sir, Why was Andrew Roberts, the grammar school teacher who took up armed robberies for the Easter holidays sent to prison? Armed robbery is a heinous offense, which deserves a condign punishment, but giving himself up, he showed remorse and a determination not to offend again, so surely public protection is not the reason.
As he is a mathematics teacher, there must be many openings for him to do useful community service.
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О чём говорили автор дневника и его старый знакомый в феврале 1667 года?
1. Они обсуждали новую пьесу.
2. Они вспоминали старых знакомых.
3. Они решали финансовые вопросы.
4. Они восхищались мастерством часовщика.
Для изготовления какого костюма необходимы свитера и самоклеющаяся бумага?
1. Скелет..
2. Пират.
3. Статуя Свободы.
4. Божья коровка.
Какого наказания, по мнению автора письма, заслуживает Эндрю Робертс?
1. Осуждения на длительное тюремное заключение.
2. По мнению автора, Робертс должен быть оправдан.
3. Передачи на поруки по месту работы.
4. Осуждения на общественно-полезные работы.
IV. Casa Moor Lodge
Casa Moor Lodge has recently reopened after extensive refurbishment. Retaining many of the original features like the blue slate floors, the visitor will appreciate the warm friendly atmosphere and the personal service of the owners.
Comfortable accommodation is offered in five double bedrooms, three with en-suite facilities. Each room is equipped with television, tea and coffee making facilities and telephone. Fax and email facilities are available.
The licensed restaurant offers a wide range of home cooked meals using fresh local fish, meats and vegetables whenever available, with a complimentary wine list, all at realistic prices.
If you enjoy walking, golf, fishing, shooting or riding there are excellent facilities close by, which can be pre-booked prior to your visit should you so wish it.
V. A History of Mother’s Day
In the United States, Julia Ward Howe suggested the idea of Mother’s Day in 1872. Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia is credited with bringing about the official observance of Mother’s Day.
But Jarvis’ accomplishment soon turned bitter for her. Enraged by the commercialization of the holiday, she filed a lawsuit to stop a 1923 Mother’s Day festival and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a war mothers’ convention where women sold white carnations – Jarvis’ symbol for mothers – to raise money. When she died in 1948, at age 84, Jarvis had become a woman of great ironies. Never a mother herself, her maternal fortune dissipated by her efforts to stop the commercialization of the holiday she had founded. Jarvis told a reporter shortly before her death that she was sorry she had ever started Mother’s Day. She spoke these words in a nursing home where every Mother’s Day her room had been filled with cards from all over the world.
В объявлении представлен
1. … ресторан, где можно отведать любое блюдо за умеренную плату.
2. … фешенебельная гостиница, где можно найти домашний уют.
3. … отель, в котором представлен широкий спектр услуг.
4. … спортивный комплекс, где можно отдохнуть всей семьёй.
Перед смертью Анна Джарвис сказала, что она …
1. счастлива, что праздник «День Матери» существует.
2. счастлива, что люди помнят её как инициатора празднования «Дня Матери».
3. хотела бы отметить свой последний праздник «День Матери» в кругу семьи.
4. сожалеет, что подала идею празднования «Дня Матери».
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