Test 1 Starlight 9

3.True, False, Not stated

The followers of my blog may be interested to know that starting from now I'll be sharing my experience of living and working in a new country. Right at this moment, I, Andrew Carter, am writing my blog from a very remote place in Russia.

When I accepted the offer of the international ecological group to take part in the project in the Russian North, I never expected the experience would be so amazing. As a professional ecologist I have worked in different parts of the world, but never in Russia. A trip to the north region of the country looked really challenging. Now I see that it is a very special place. My journey is to last for two months and now I wish I could stay here longer. Two months are definitely not enough to enjoy the beauty of this place, which is called the Kenozersky National Park.

Anyway, my adventures started two weeks ago. Patrick and I landed in Moscow at 10am in the morning and our plane to Arkhangelsk was at 11pm so we had the whole day to see Moscow. We did not need to stay in a hotel at that.

My first impression was that, well, Moscow is a huge city! My colleague, Patrick, who’s visited Moscow several times already, told me that the best way to get some idea of the Russian capital was to take a bus excursion round the city. And he was right!

We managed to see the historical centre, and walked across Red Square. I have to confess that I’ve never seen a square so huge and grand. Then the bus took us along the wide streets and avenues. We made a brief stop near the famous Russian university - the Moscow State University. I had certainly seen the building in the photos, but in real life it looks even more impressive.

When the excursion was over, we found ourselves in the centre again. We still had plenty of time and decided to visit the State Historical Museum that is on Red Square. We only managed to see a small part of the vast collection of the museum. Its exhibitions range from relics of prehistoric tribes that lived on the territory of present-day Russia centuries ago to priceless pieces of art that belonged to the Romanov dynasty.

After the intense cultural programme, we were just walking along the streets. Then we dropped into a small restaurant and ordered some national dishes. They tasted unfamiliar, but I liked them.

The next day we got to our destination.

Kenozersky National Park is exactly at the border of the Arkhangelsk Oblast and Karelia. The park is centred round the Lake Kenozero, one or the largest lakes in the region. The Russian colleagues met us at Arkhangelsk airport and drove us to the place where we were to live and work for two months. It was a long drive but it was worth it!

As I’ve already mentioned, the national park is a very remote place. Three quarters of its territory is covered with taiga. The environment is untouched, and we were charmed by its beauty. The park is inhabited by a great variety of animals and birds. Some of them are extremely rare species. It’s actually a paradise for a person who studies nature!

However, the place is not only interesting for nature lovers like me. In spite of the remoteness of the place, there are tourists from all over the world here. They are charmed by the wooden architecture of the region. There are many authentic wooden houses and churches with wonderful painted ceilings. Some tourists, including the people from America and Asia, come specially to attend carpentry courses and workshops, where skilled craftsmen teach them to make traditional wooden toys, furniture, and home decorations. Some of their works are real pieces of art.

1.Andrew works as an ecologist.

2.According to his contract, Andrew has to work in Moscow.

  3.Andrew and Patrick studied together at university.

 4.It was Andrew’s first visit to Moscow.

5.Andrew and Patrick had time for visiting some museums in Moscow.

  6.Kenozero is the name of the hotel Andrew and Patrick stayed in in Moscow.

  7.Foreign tourists cannot visit the Kenozersky National Park.

8. It is not allowed to use cars on the territory of the Kenozersky National Park

Starlight 9 Test 1 (I variant)

1.Complete the sentences with the correct word: adapt, proceeded, blind, permanent, migrated, sparsely, aisle, discarded

1. Ann prefers to sit in a(an)_______ seat.

1. Two years ago many people __________to Europe in search of work.

1. My friends _______ to the departure gate for boarding.

1. Much edible food is ________in rubbish bins every year.

1. This place is _______ populated due to its harsh climate.

1. It was difficult for him to ______to his new school.

1. Mary turned _____eyes and didn’t report her to the authorities.

1. Mark is a ________ resident of Spain.

2.Open the brackets.

1. John_______(fly) to London next Monday.

1. The next flight to Moscow ______(to leave) at 8 o’clock.

1. This tribe________(to move) to a new place four months ago.

1. We ________(to go) for two days before we met him.

1. They _________(to leave) their homes before the rain started.

1. It is getting harder and ______(hard) to find a good job.

1. True, False, Not stated

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

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

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

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

In Manx mythology, the island’s name comes from the name of a Celtic sea god. He ruled the kingdom and protected the land from invaders by covering the island with mist and thick fog.

The island is also reputedly home to fairies who are very special. The Manx fairies are described as small and human-like. They wear red caps and green jackets and are naughty and wicked. There's even a bridge called Fairy Bridge. Those who cross it are advised to say ‘hello fairies’ in order to get good fortune. If the person doesn’t greet the fairies, the fairies will become angry with him and may play a nasty trick on him.

If you love reading about King Arthur and his knights, then a must-see place is Peel Castle. It was constructed in the 11th century by the Vikings and has a fascinating history. It is believed that Peel Castle was the location of Avalon – the legendary island where King Arthur’s sword was made and where King Arthur was taken after being wounded.

1.The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea.

 2.The island’s landscape looks all the same everywhere

 3.On Tynwald Day the Manx parliament has a day off.

 4.The first Manx King ruled for a hundred years.

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

 6.There are a few statues of King Arthur on the Isle of Man.

7. Peel Castle was built by the Vikings.

Starlight 9 Test 1 (II variant)

1.Complete the sentences with the correct word: lend, suspicion, sell-by, impression, secluded, bustling, help, temporary.

1. I always check the ________ date before I buy fish.

2. My family rented a house in a __________ spot in the country.

3. She looked at the stranger with ____________.

4. Moscow is a (an) ________city with many shops and cafes.

5. They live in __________ camps as they move to new locations.

6. She asked me to ______ her 30 dollars.

7. Please _______ yourself to some cakes.

8. Mary likes to __________ the impression that she is wealthy.

2.Open the brackets.

1. Nancy _____(to drive) to the station when her mother called her.

2.I ______(to think) of having a rest in the summer.

3. Living in the country is _____(pleasant) than living in the city.

4. They aren’t at home now, they (to go) to the center.

5. Mr.Brown _________(to teach) English for the last two years.

6. By the time he __________(to arrive) at the airport, his flight had already departed