A computer game: The Lost Statue
In this game you are in a small country called Neverland. It is a deserted place. The weather there is terrible. It rains a lot and there are strong winds. The only people there are two young brothers. They live alone in their small house on the beach. In the game, you are one of the boys – Josh or Frank. Josh loves the beach very much and he is good at windsurfing. Frank is interested in doing quizzes and playing guessing games.
One day, they meet a strange man. He collects old things. He needs to find a small statue from the Stone Age and he asks the boys for help.
You decide to help the man. First, you talk to the man and learn about the lost statue. Then, with your brother, organize a trip around Neverland to look for it. On the way you play games, answer questions, do quizzes, visit different places and talk to different people. Collect objects and souvenirs – they are very useful and help you find the lost statue and win the game.
The Lost Statue is a great game! Discover the secrets of Neverland and learn about the old times. Play it now and have fun!
Task 1
Read the text and decide which answer is correct, a, b or c.
1 Neverland is
a ) a big island.
b) a deserted country.
c ) an old city.
2 The weather in Neverland is
a) warm and sunny.
b) cold and cloudy.
c) rainy and windy.
3 Frank and Josh live in
a) a castle.
b) a house on the beach.
c) a motel.
4 In the game you are
a) a boy.
b) the strange man.
c) the lost statue.
5 The strange man
a ) collects old objects.
b) organizes trips around Neverland.
c) teaches history.
Task 2
Read the text again and decide if the statements are true (T) or false (F).
1 The two brothers live in a big house in the forest.
2 Josh is good at quizzes.
3 Frank’s hobby is playing guessing games.
4 The man wants to find an ancient stone.
5 Collecting different objects in the game helps the player to finish it
Beatrix Potter.
Many years ago there lived a small girl in a big house in London. Her name was Beatrix. Her parents didn’t ask other children to come and play with their daughter.
Beatrix had only animals for her friends. She had dogs, cats, frogs and a rabbit. Beatrix played with her animals and talked to them. The animals understood the girl and loved her very much. Beatrix wrote stories about her animal friends and told those stories to her little brother, her parents and their friends. She drew pictures for her stories too.
Time went on. Beatrix became a young lady, but she continued to write stories about animals. She knew the animals so well, that they were like people to her.
In 1900 Beatrix Potter published her first book “The tale of Peter Rabbit”. Then she wrote other books and made pictures for them. Children read Beatrix Potter’s books and liked them very much.
So the hobby of a little girl helped her to find an interesting profession.
True or false statements.
1.A little girl lived in London.
2.Many children came to play with Beatrix in her home.
3.Beatrix had many animal friends.
4.The girl wrote stories about her animals.
5.She read the stories to her brother and parents..
6.Beatrix drew pictures to her stories.
7.The first book by Beatrix Potter was about a cat.
8.Beatix Potter became a writer and published her stories.
9.The first book of Beatrix Potter was published in1900.
10.The books by Beatrix Potter are about children.
Hanami: Flowering Celebration!
The beginning of spring (March-April) is a very special time in Japan, because this is when Japan’s famous cherry trees come into flower. The Japanese celebrate this happy time with festivals and flower-viewing parties.
At the end of winter, everyone’s excitement starts to grow. The whole country wants to know the exact day when the cherry flowers (‘sakura’) will appear. Starting in February, weathermen try to guess when this day will be.
When the first flowers open on the trees, national joy breaks out! There are rides and games for children in the street, music and dance performances, tea ceremonies, flower displays, and much more. But the most special thing that people do at this time is have ‘hanami’ parties. ‘Hanami’ means flower watching. In ‘hanami’ parties, families and friends take a picnic and go and sit under a cherry tree to look at and admire the flowers. ‘Hanami’ parties take place during the daytime and also at night, because when it is dark, lights light up the cherry trees.
‘Hanami’ is very important to the Japanese. Cherry blossoms appear on trees for only one week before they fall to the ground and die, and for the Japanese this symbolises the short nature of childhood and life. So ‘hanami’ is a time when Japanese people like to think about how important life is.
Mark the statements true T, false F or not stated NS
Spring is the Japanese people’s favourite time of year.
2. It is not easy to know the day the cherry flowers will open.
3. Hanami takes place a week after the cherry trees blossom.
4. The cherry flowers do not stay on the trees for very long.
5. When the cherry flowers appear, people hope for long lives.
The Dubai shopping festival
A relatively new addition to the age-old tradition of global, national and local festivals, the Dubai Shopping Festival, or the DSF as it's more commonly called, is an event that offers something for everyone. It lasts for about a month, and takes place in one of the winter months every year.
What first began as a tourist attraction in 1996 is now a celebration of buying and selling that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors. Over 2,300 shops offer an enormous variety of goods at very low prices. Festival-goers will find even more bargains at one of the most popular attractions of the DSF, the Night Souk. This is a big street market that is open from the afternoon till the small hours of the morning. There, it is customary for the shoppers to haggle with the sellers over the price of something, until both the buyer and the seller agree on a satisfactory price.
But the DSF is not only about shopping. There is a wide range of activities that keep everyone in the family happy. Over the years, events such as a food festival, fashion show, carnival and a fireworks display have offered visitors an enjoyable experience. The festival organizers keep surprising visitors with new, bigger and better events every year.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is a fantastic family event that combines shopping with fun and culture, and brings people from the four corners of the world together. As the slogan of the festival says: "One Family, One World, One Festival".
Mark the statements true T, false F or not stated NS
The DSF always takes place in the same months every year
The DSF began as a way to make Dubai’s shops more famous.
The first DSF was not very popular.
The Night Souk is a favourite with visitors.
The DSF offers different activities.
A family pays less to visit the events at the DSF.
Which Is Better ?
Many years ago an elephant and a monkey had a quarrel. The elephant was delighted that he was so strong. ‘Look! How big and strong I am,’ he said. ‘I can pull a tree down. Can you?’
Now the monkey was delighted that he was so quick. ‘Look! How quickly I can run and climb,’ he said. ‘Can you climb a tree?’
At last they decided to go and speak to the Old Bird. ‘We cannot agree,’ they told the Bird, ‘tell us what you think about it. Which is better – to be strong or to be quick?’
The Old Bird said to them, ‘Do as I tell you and then I’ll learn which is better. Do you see that great tree across the river? Go and get the fruit from it and bring it to me.’
So they went to the river, but the monkey was afraid of the watre. ‘Get on my back,’ said the elephant politely. ‘I’ll carry you. I am big and strong and I am not afraid to swim across the river.’ There on the bank stood the tree. It was so high that the fruit was far above them. The elephant tried to pull the tree down, but it was too strong. ‘Wait a minute,’ said the monkey politely. ‘I can climb. He ran quickly up the tree and threw the fruit to the ground. The elephant put it in his great mouth. Then they crossed the river again and gave the fruit to the Old Bird.
‘Now,’ they said, ‘which is better – to be strong or to be quick?’
‘Can anybody tell which is better?’ asked the Old Bird. ‘The elephant could not get the fruit alone. The monkey could not get the fruit alone. But you could get it together: one of you crossed the river, the other climbed the tree.’
1. It is a story about …
A. an elephant and a crocodile B. a monkey and a crocodile C. an elephant and a monkey
2. The elephant could pull the tree down because he was …
A. small but strong B. big and strong C. long and thin
3. The monkey could …
A. run and climb B. swim and bathe C. fly
4. The monkey and the elephant went to the …
A. Old Bird B. Old Lion C. Wise Owl
5. The animals wanted to learn which was better …
A. to be strong or to be clever B. to be strong or to be quick C. to be strong or hard-working
6. The monkey was afraid …
A. bees B. fire C. the water
7. The elephant swam across …
A. the lake B. the river C. the pool
8. The Old Bird asked the animals to get the fruit tree from …
A. a high tree across the river B. a high mountain across the lake C. a deep hole across the pool
9. The monkey was happy …
A. he was not afraid of the water B. he could climb a tree quickly C. he could get the fruit alone
10. The Old Bird was really …
A. strong and healthy B. hard-working and industrious C. wise and clever
School in the Slums
Mellish school is in the slums of Brooklyn for pupils between twelve and fifteen years of age. There are about 1500 pupils there, and 90 teachers.
It’s a problem school, perhaps one of the most difficult schools in America. The white teachers can’t walk to the school because they may be attacked. They all drive to school, and their cars have special locks. There’s always a black policeman at the door of the school. He has a radio contact with the school guards. Pupils must have a written permission from the teacher if they want to go to the toilet. There’s a guard outside the washroom. Only one child can go into the washroom at a time, and he can’t stay there long.
The children who live in that district go to that school. They are all black children. However, why do the teachers work there?
“It’s very hard of course,” says Jane Flinch, a forty- five-year-old teacher. Most children have problems at home. Some of them are beaten by their parents. Some of them sleep at the lessons because they had to work at night. Some of the children get sick at the lessons because they didn’t have breakfast or even a meal for a day or two.
It’s the love of the job that keeps the teachers in that school. They teach and do social work. They feel that they are doing something good for the children who need help.
“There’s also the problem of violence,” says one of the teachers. “Sometimes when I go into a class, I can feel that some of the children are like a dynamite. However, I feel quite safe. I am sure that other pupils will help me.” There is very little money for teaching in that school. There is no money to buy food for the children.
The principal of the school has been there for many years. A lot of his happy optimism has gone. “No, I’m not optimistic about the future. Look around you,” he says and points out of the window at the high wall round the school. ”It’s not a very bright sight: buildings have holes instead of the windows, shops are closed, groups of people are sitting on the steps of the houses. They have nowhere to go and nothing to do.”
“We need money,” he says, “money is the only way to help this school and these people, and, of course, jobs for the people.”
Exercise 1 Choose the right variant
1.Mellish school is for
a) small children b) older children c) small and older children.
2.The white teachers can’t walk to school because
a) they live far from the school. b) they don’t like to walk. c) it’s dangerous for them.
3.There’s a policeman
a) at the door of the school. b) near the toilet. c) outside the washroom.
4.The white teachers work there because
a) they can’t find a better job. b) they love their job. c) they get a lot of money there.
5.The school needs
a) more money b) more teachers. c) more policemen.
Exercise 2. Say if the statements are true(T), false(F) or not stated(NS).
Mellish school is in the slums of Mexico.
Most children have problems at home.
Mellish is a problem school.
The principal of the school has 5 children in his family.
The school needs money.
It’s good salary that keeps the teachers in that school.
MY BROTHER
As a teenager, my brother Al used to invent little things as a pastime. After the gadget phase, he started making toy aeroplanes out of wood or plastic. His creations were quite impressive for someone so young. His room was always full of books about famous pilots and jet aeroplanes that he read again and again. His dream was to sell his model aeroplanes in his own shop one day, so he was determined to learn all about flying, and even designed all his models on a 3-D computer programme, before he built them.
Neither of my parents opposed Al’s decision. They both believed that people should be keen on their jobs, but our father wanted him to get a university degree first. Our mother thought that a good education was necessary, especially because she had doubts about if he could earn a good living with his aeroplanes. On the other hand, she couldn’t see how becoming a lawyer or a doctor for example, would help Al with the job he wanted to do.
When Al finished school, he finally decided to get a degree in architecture. During his studies, Al continued his hobby in his spare time, but also got involved in other things. He played football for a while, volunteered at the school’s library, and joined the drama club; though he soon decided that acting wasn’t for him.
As soon as Al graduated, he and another dozen students took a tour of Europe. The highlight of Al’s trip was France. He even considered moving there for a short time to improve his skills in French, but he wanted to return home to prove to himself that he could succeed as a businessman. Three years later, Al accomplished his goal, and today, he is so successful, that he has five shops in our city and is planning to open more around the country. And, who knows, maybe one day his model airplanes will be famous around the world!
Exercise 1.
1 When Al was young, he wanted to be a(n)
A pilot B shop owner C computer designer D inventor
2 Al’s mother believed that
A it wasn’t important for Al to get a goodeducation.
B a good education would help Al with his career.
C Al might not earn enough money from the job he wanted to do.
D Al would make a very good lawyer.
3 While Al was at university, he
A continued to build model airplanes.
B got a job as an architect.
C trained to be a professional actor .
D worked at the university library.
4 What did Al do soon after graduation?
A He lived in France for a while.
B He opened up his own business.
C He did some travelling.
D He learned how to speak French.
5 Al wants to open
A another shop. B shops in different cities. C shops in different countries D five shops in his town.
Exercise 2
Say if it is true(T), false(F) or not stated(NS)
1.Al’s dream was to make aeroplanes and sell them in his own shop.
2.His parents opposed Al’s decision because they wanted him to get education first
3.After finishing school Al decided to get a degree in architecture and stopped doing his hobby.
4.His parents and teachers supported Al because they were not sure in his success in making planes.
5.He became a successful businessman and made his dream come true.
THE POWER OF IMAGINATION
Mr. Brown liked it in America, but he liked travelling too. He made trips to Europe and Asia and he visited India. Once after a long trip from England to America he arrived at a small country place. There was a small hotel there. Mr. Brown got to the hotel late in the evening. At the hotel he asked the receptionist whether there were any vacant rooms there.
At that moment another traveller came to the hotel and asked the receptionist for a room too. The receptionist checked if there were any vacant rooms. The only vacant room he could offer was a double room.
"Will it be convenient to you if you share the room?" the receptionist asked. "It'll be less expensive for you, you'll each pay half the price."
At first they didn't like the idea, but just then it began raining heavily and they were too tired to go to another hotel. They spoke to each other and told the receptionist that they agreed to spend the night in one and the same room.
A porter showed them to their room, took in their things and wished them good night. Soon the two men went to bed.
Suddenly Mr. Brown heard some noise. He opened his eyes but didn't see anything. It was quite dark.
"What's the matter?" Mr. Brown asked in surprise. The second traveller answered, "I'm very sorry, I had to wake you up. I'm not well. Please, open the window quickly."
Mr. Brown got out of bed and began looking for matches, but he couldn't find them in the dark, so he tried to find the window. It took him some time and at last he thought he had found it. He couldn't open the window. As the voice of the traveller was becoming weaker and weaker, Mr. Brown took a chair and broke the window with it. The man said he felt much better. After that the two of them slept until morning.
When they woke up the next morning they were surprised to see that Mr. Brown had broken to pieces not a window but a large mirror.
Task 1.Are the statements below true (T) or false (F)?
1.It was late when Mr. Brown arrived at the hotel.
2.It was raining when Mr. Brown entered the hotel.
3.The receptionist offered a room for two persons.
4.The travellers were going to spend two nights in one room.
5.The two travellers talked a long time before going to bed.
6.Mr. Brown did his best to help the other traveller.
Task 2. Fill in the missing words.
1. Mr. Brown got to the hotel late ….
2. At the hotel he asked … whether there were any… there.
3. The only vacant room he could offer was ….
4. Suddenly Mr. Brown heard some noise….
5. Mr. Brown got out of bed and began looking for ….
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