Cat CDZ

Read the text and put + AND - in the correct place Charles Dickens can be considered to be the first celebrity author in the world. He had become popular by the age 25 and he was treated just like rock stars and movie stars are treated today. Everywhere he went, there were crowds 0f people cheering him, shaking hands, and asking for his autograph. His fans in the US even cut bits of fur from his coat for souvenirs. He was so famous that when he died at the age of 58 he was buried at Westminster Abbey. A great novelist, short story writer, journalist, he was also an editor - and a father of 10 children! Dickens’s life was much like that of his many characters, a rag-to-riches story. Born in Portsmouth on the 7th of February, 1812, he was the second of eight children. When he was 10 years old his family moved to London. But there were serious money problems and his father went to prison for debt. His family later joined him. It was common in those days for the family of a debtor to live with him in prison. Charles was taken out of school and sent to work in a blackening factory where he put labels on bottles of shoe polish. He worked long hours for very little money and lived away from his family, alone in London. Charles never forgot this. Even as a famous and successful adult, he carried a deep memory of the grief, humiliation and hopelessness he had felt. Later he went to school again, and left it at 15 to become a reporter. His genius for describing comical characters and his anger about social injustice were soon noticed. In 1836, he began The Pickwick Papers. The book was so popular that by the age of 25 Charles was the most popular novelist in both Britain and America. Charles Dickens’ novels were funny and exciting, but they had a very serious message. He described the hard life of poor people and attacked injustice, hypocrisy and other social ills of Victorian England. He often wrote about real people and real events. His stories were so powerful that Parliament sometimes passed laws to change things for the better. For example, after publishing Nicholas Nickleby, some of the cruel boarding schools in England were closed down. London was Dickens’ muse. Throughout his life, he both loved and hated the city. When he was a boy, it filled him with horror and wonder. As a man, he regularly walked ten to twenty miles across the city, working out his plots. The city always inspired him, and when he was away from it he often found it difficult to work. He called it his ‘magic lantern’, and never failed to spark his imagination. Dickens is read and remembered today for the unique characters he created. Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Uriah Heep, Ebenezer Scrooge, and many, many more live in our memories as real people. When Dickens created his characters, he often ran to the mirror and acted their movements and facial expressions. Probably that’s why they are so memorable. One his most famous characters is Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. Today, this name is part of the English language: we often call a mean person a ‘scrooge’. Dickens is as popular today as he was during his lifetime. To mark his birthday, there are celebrations all over the English-speaking world – performances, exhibitions, festivals and even parades!

Tom left ... without doing his examinations.

What time do you have to start ... tomorrow morning?

The other day the fire-brigade had to go to ... to put up a fire.

Nora worked as a cleaner ... .

I like to read in ... before going to sleep.

Tomorrow my mother will go to ... to see my teachers.

Some children hate ... .

All over the world, people are in ... because of their political beliefs.

After ... , Ann usually goes ... .

I like ... but the price is too high.

After leaving ... she worked as a teacher.

John's mother is a regular churchgoer. She goes to ... every Sunday. John himself doesn't go to ... .

My brother is very ill in ... .

Kimiko's husband is a designer.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

There aren’t any problems with clothes for small women in Britain.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

Xavier wants shops and restaurants close later in the evening.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

Margaretha is fond of British food and tea.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

Japanese men find it difficult to relax in Britain because their wives are so busy all the time.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

Xavier thinks the British dress well.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

It is a common thing to have more than two children in Norway.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

Margaretha’s husband is from Norway.

Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (True), и какие не соответствуют (False). Read the text and decide which of the statements are true. A large number of people move to Britain for different reasons every year. Among them there are Kimiko, Xavier and Margaretha. They were interviewed about their lives in England. They have different opinions on living there. Kimiko Kinoshita Wood came to Britain as a bride several years ago. There is much more freedom for women here,' she says. 'It is sometimes difficult for Japanese women to adjust.' For Kimiko, the change was easy because she is a translator and speaks English fluently. Also, she has an English husband. 'Attitudes to women are very different,' she says. 'Japanese wives come to Britain and after a while they discover they can have a life of their own outside the home. They don't have that kind of freedom in Japan.' In Japan it is unusual to see men shopping with their wives, helping in the house, or babysitting. But Kimiko's husband, John, a shipping engineer, happily lends a hand with the children. John says that Japanese husbands soon adapt in Britain, and seem to relax more with their families. Education is one thing that worries Kimiko. In Japan, children go to school six days a week and work much harder than English children. Another complaint is that shops don't have many clothes for small women! When Xavier Dupont came to Britain, his friends in Paris said he'd hate it. However, Xavier, a 26-year-old chef, says they were wrong. 'French people imagine that Britain is a cold, miserable country where everyone dresses badly, you can't see anything for fog, and the food is the worst on the planet. I don't agree.' Xavier insists that the British look good because they don't follow fashion so seriously. He enjoys shopping in Britain because there are so many fresh things in the supermarkets. However, he has some complaints. He thinks that British men don't show enough consideration or appreciation of women. Also, he doesn't like British bathrooms where you stand or sit in the bath to have a shower! Last of all, he feels that shops and restaurants close far too often and far too early. In Britain, Margaretha Simons can be a full-time housewife, at home with her four children. It is unusual in her native Norway because almost all Norwegian women go out to work. It is also unusual in Norway to have more than two children. Margaretha, who is 43, met her British husband, Noel, a university professor, while she was learning English in Cambridge. Although she finds British people friendly, she doesn't like everything. She thinks British houses are not built well - even modern houses have a lot of draughts. Also, there is too much litter on the streets and by the sides of the motorways. She likes fresh British food, but at first she did not like the tea because it looked cloudy and grey. Now she is addicted to it, and has cups of tea all the time!

Определите, в каком из текстов A-F содержатся ответы на вопросы.

Read the text and choose the TRUE statement. As children, we all dream of what we want to be when we grow up. Often, many young children will say that they want to be actors or singers, pop stars or models. Some will say that they want to become teachers, firefighters, police officers. Others want to be astronauts or scientists or explorers. When I was younger, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I went to London Fashion Weekend, the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham and worked very hard at school to get good grades. Initially, I applied to study fashion design at university. When I got there, I hated the course. For some reason, which is still unknown to me, I no longer wanted to become part of the fashion industry.

Read the text and mark the sentences True, False or Not stated. Charles Dickens Charles Dickens can be considered to be the first celebrity author in the world. He had become popular by the age of 25 and he was treated just like rock stars and movie stars are treated today. Everywhere he went, there were crowds of people cheering him, shaking his hand, and asking for his autograph. His fans in the US even cut bits of fur from his coat for souvenirs. He was so famous that when he died at the age of 58 he was buried at Westminster Abbey. A great novelist, short story writer, journalist, he was also an editor - and a father of 10 children! Dickens’s life was much like that of his many characters, a rags-to-riches story. Born in Portsmouth on the 7th of February, 1812, he was the second of eight children. When he was 10 years old, his family moved to London. But there were serious money problems and his father went to prison for debt. His family later joined him. It was common in those days for the family of a debtor to live with him in prison. Charles was taken out of school and sent to work in a blacking factory where he put labels on bottles of shoe polish. He worked long hours for very little money and lived away from his family, alone in London. Charles never forgot this. Even as a famous and successful adult, he carried a deep memory of the grief, humiliation and hopelessness he had felt. Later, he went to school again, and left it at 15 to become a reporter. His genius for describing comical characters and his anger about social injustice were soon noticed. In 1836, he began The Pickwick Papers. The book was so popular that by the age of 25 Charles was the most popular novelist in both Britain and America. Charles Dickens’s novels were funny and exciting, but they had a very serious message. He described the hard life of poor people and attacked injustice, hypocrisy and other social ills of Victorian England. He often wrote about real people and real events. His stories were so powerful that Parliament sometimes passed laws to change things for the better. For example, after publishing Nicholas Nickleby, some of the cruel boarding schools in England were closed down. London was Dickens’s muse. Throughout his life, he both loved and hated the city. When he was a boy, it filled him with horror and wonder. As a man, he regularly walked ten to twenty miles across the city, working out his plots. The city always inspired him, and when he was away from it he often found it difficult to work. He called it his ‘magic lantern,’ and it never failed to spark his imagination. Dickens is read and remembered today for the unique characters he created. Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Uriah Heep, Ebenezer Scrooge, and many, many more live in our memories as real people. When Dickens created his characters, he often ran to the mirror and acted out their movements and facial expressions. Probably that’s why they are so memorable. One of his most famous characters is Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. Today, this name is part of the English language: we often call a mean person a ‘scrooge’. Dickens is as popular today as he was during his lifetime. To mark his birthday, there are celebrations all over the English-speaking world — performances, exhibitions, festivals and even parades!

Read the text and mark the statements True, False or Not stated.  Recent research shows that lots of teenagers are suffering from lack of sleep which causes problems with their behaviour and learning. As a result, schools have introduced a new lesson where students are given more of an idea of the importance of sleep. According to medical data, they should get at least nine hours' sleep a night. Young people should realise that sleep is very important if they want to do well at school and enjoy life. It’s common knowledge that people sleep best in a dark room that is slightly cool. It's important to close your blinds or curtains and make sure they're heavy enough to block out the light. You can add extra blankets or wear pyjamas if you're cold. Note that an uncomfortable bed, heat and noise can ruin a good night's sleep. A TV is also a distraction. If you don’t sleep enough or have a disturbed sleep you can get heart disease, high blood pressure and even diabetes. People who don't sleep enough get colds and flu more often than those who do. Moreover, recent research proves that poor sleepers gain weight more easily than people who sleep well. Extra kilos are the reaction of the body to the stressful sleepless situation. Think twice before watching a movie late at night. Don’t spend sleeping time on endless computer games. The thing is that by getting up and going to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends, you teach your body to follow a healthy regime. You'll quickly fall asleep, will have a good night’s sleep and will wake up at the expected time feeling fresh and active. Some easy steps can prepare your body for going to sleep. You probably have some regular bedtime habits, even if you don’t realise it. Brushing your teeth, taking a shower, reading a book and setting your alarm clock may all be part of your evening routine. Remember that you should perform these activities in the same manner and in the same order every night. Sleepless nights at exam time are very bad for students. If you prepare for your exam late at night, it will not improve your performance during the exam. On the contrary, it will affect your ability to concentrate, to react quickly and to analyse information. Recent research shows that the results of the tests written after sleepless nights are lower than usual grades. If you think that during sleep, the brain rests, you're mistaken. It's a common myth about sleep. Sleep is definitely needed – but it's not your brain that needs to rest, it's your body that needs to relax. Your brain is still working when you're asleep, controlling physical functions like breathing and your heart beat. However, because the brain does not have to go through the constant stress of thinking, you get up refreshed and recharged.

Read the text and choose the correct answer. English is an international language spoken by an increasing number of people around the world. In many English-speaking countries, though, English isn’t the only language. In the UK, for example, people speak Welsh, Gaelic and a few other old languages. Because these languages aren’t international, people pay less attention to them. So, what does this mean for children who grow up speaking them as their mother tongue? I grew up in Wales. My family spoke English, but the Welsh language was everywhere. When you were driving around Wales, all the road signs were in English and Welsh. As a child, I hated reading everything twice! We had Welsh television programmes too. While everyone in England was watching fashionable American TV shows, we were learning about local farming in Welsh! At secondary school I was dreaming of going to live in Paris, when I realized that instead of Welsh lessons, I needed French lessons. No one spoke Welsh outside Wales. Now I feel differently. Welsh is a part of my identity and, besides, we have better Welsh TV now! In parts of Scotland, some children grow up in families where grandparents still speak Gaelic. Gaelic has even fewer speakers than Welsh, and few are confident that this part of their culture will survive. It’s difficult when English is everywhere else in the country, but teaching subjects in Gaelic in schools helps. However, often there aren’t enough Gaelic-speaking teachers. Unless families continue to speak the language at home too, these languages won’t survive. Between 1950 and 2010, 230 languages went extinct, nowadays, a third of the world’s languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers left. Every two weeks a language dies with its last speaker, 50 to 90 percent of them are predicted to disappear by the next century. Many old languages are disappearing in the UK. People on the Isle of Man spoke Manx for centuries until the last native speaker died in the twentieth century. The same thing happened to Cornish. There was a language spoken by smugglers who were bringing goods into the country illegally, or travellers and criminals. It allowed them to keep secrets from the police, but it too has disappeared. Languages, even if they are spoken by very few people, have a history and culture, and it’s a shame to see them go. When humanity loses a language, we also lose the potential for greater diversity in art, music, literature, and oral traditions. If we care about saving forests and animals, we should care about saving languages too.

Read the text and choose whether the statements are true, false or not stated. In India he is remembered as ‘the father of the nation’ and he is famous the world over for his belief in peace and non-violent protest. Gandhi believed that people have the power to achieve positive change by walking the path of peaceful resistance. It’s a path Gandhi walked all his life… Gandhi was born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in India on 2nd October, 1869 into a merchant family. When he was 19, Gandhi broke with tradition and left India to study Law in London. Then, in 1891, he accepted a job at an Indian law firm in Durban, South Africa, where he remained for twenty years. Gandhi was shocked by the discrimination against Indian immigrants in South Africa and headed a campaign for their civil rights. During this time, Gandhi developed his principle of ‘satyagraha’ which means ‘devotion to truth’ through non-violent action. Gandhi was sent to prison many times for leading peaceful campaigns of civil disobedience. Before he left the country, though, the South African government made many of the changes he had called for. In 1914, Gandhi returned to a troubled India which was occupied by the British Empire. Gandhi felt that India could never truly be free as long as it remained under British rule. He wanted to work towards Indian independence and create greater understanding between all classes and religious faiths across the country. In 1919, he joined the new Indian National Congress Party and launched a policy of peaceful non-cooperation with the British, including a boycott of British goods and institutions. One of Gandhi’s most famous protests was against the tax on salt imposed by the British authorities. He led thousands of people on a 320 km ‘march to the sea’ to make their own salt from seawater. Because of his various campaigns, Gandhi was imprisoned four times: in 1922, 1930, 1933 and 1942. Nevertheless, as a result of Gandhi’s talks and negotiations with the British government, India won independence in 1947. However, there remained fierce tension between different religious groups in the country. On 30th January 1948, Gandhi, then aged 78, was assassinated. The assassin could not accept Gandhi’s belief that all faiths were of equal value. Gandhi was on his way to a prayer meeting when he was shot three times in the chest. Gandhi maintained his life-long belief in peace, non-violence and that all people were created equal. His beliefs informed all areas of his life; in meetings he always wore the simple clothes of an Indian villager, while the politicians around him dressed in formal suits. He also followed a vegetarian diet and lived a simple life. In India, he was called ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi which means ‘great soul’. There, his birthday is celebrated as an official holiday and also as an International Day of Non-violence. Gandhi spoke to everybody, everywhere when he said, “Be the change you want to see.” And indeed, his achievements remain an inspiration to people all over the world; his life truly was his message.

Advanced level Read the text and answer the questions choosing the best option. In the United Kingdom compulsory education ends at the age of sixteen. However, many students stay on and complete two more years. For some (and I include myself in this category) school just becomes a habit, something you don't want to give up as it is so familiar to you. School is your world and you know nothing else and so you just keep on going. Imagine my feelings when sixth form was over and there were no more classes to complete! Instead of feeling a sense of joy and relief I panicked – what was I to do? The logical and best option was to go to university and continue my studies there, so that is precisely what I did. Unfortunately, the end of secondary education in the UK is not marked by any sense of celebration, like in other countries like the USA where students 'graduate' at the age of 18 and have a fancy ball. (In the UK you have to wait until you finish college or university before you can have that privilege). In the UK you just finish school! The lucky ones have a respectable collection of qualifications to their name as souvenirs; the unlucky ones may have slipped through the net somehow and end up going back to education at a later date when they feel more like studying. Education is more than qualifications, I admit that. But they are what counts at the end of the day. I made sure I got my fair share of them, just in case. Ask anyone what they remember most about school and they'd probably say the teachers. They are what makes education a humanistic experience and, therefore, are the most memorable: the good ones, the bad ones, the kindest ones, the most generous ones ... I was sad to leave them all, but I always was far too nostalgic! School dinners, of course, are remembered for all the wrong reasons – the long queues, the fat dinner ladies, the greasy food! Thank goodness, they have introduced healthy eating plans in schools! Pupils are luckier nowadays! Principally, school is all about belonging to a certain community and fitting in and making a contribution. I remember struggling at certain times in the year, trying to find time for musical productions and athletics competitions. I wanted to do everything and make my school proud. What was I more – an athlete or a musician? I was both, and a scholar too; an 'all-rounder', I suppose you could say. Luckily, I was able to rely on my natural ability to get me through the exams and didn't have to spend too much time on studying. I just listened to my teachers and got through that way. I thank them, really I do. So, it will come as no surprise to you to find out that I became a teacher after I finished university, I couldn't get enough of school and so I stayed there! But this time it's different. Now I can give something back to society. I face many challenges every day but I keep going.

Read the text and mark the sentences True, False or Not stated. Recent research shows that lots of teenagers are suffering from lack of sleep which causes problems with their behaviour and learning. As a result, schools have introduced a new lesson where students are given more of an idea of the importance of sleep. According to medical data, they should get at least nine hours' sleep a night. Young people should realise that sleep is very important if they want to do well at school and enjoy life. It’s common knowledge that people sleep best in a dark room that is slightly cool. It's important to close your blinds or curtains and make sure they're heavy enough to block out the light. You can add extra blankets or wear pyjamas if you're cold. Note that an uncomfortable bed, heat and noise can ruin a good night's sleep. A TV is also a distraction. If you don’t sleep enough or have a disturbed sleep you can get heart disease, high blood pressure and even diabetes. People who don't sleep enough get colds and flu more often than those who do. Moreover, recent research proves that poor sleepers gain weight more easily than people who sleep well. Extra kilos are the reaction of the body to the stressful sleepless situation. Think twice before watching a movie late at night. Don’t spend sleeping time on endless computer games. The thing is that by getting up and going to bed at the same time every day, even at the weekends, you teach your body to follow a healthy regime. You'll quickly fall asleep, will have a good night’s sleep and will wake up at the expected time feeling fresh and active. Some easy steps can prepare your body for going to sleep. You probably have some regular bedtime habits, even if you don’t realise it. Brushing your teeth, taking a shower, reading a book and setting your alarm clock may all be part of your evening routine. Remember that you should perform these activities in the same manner and in the same order every night. Sleepless nights at exam time are very bad for students. If you prepare for your exam late at night, it will not improve your performance during the exam. On the contrary, it will affect your ability to concentrate, to react quickly and to analyse information. Recent research shows that the results of the tests written after sleepless nights are lower than usual grades. If you think that during sleep, the brain rests, you're mistaken. It's a common myth about sleep. Sleep is definitely needed – but it's not your brain that needs to rest, it's your body that needs to relax. Your brain is still working when you're asleep, controlling physical functions like breathing and your heartbeat. However, because the brain does not have to go through the constant stress of thinking, you get up refreshed and recharged.

Read the text and answer questions 1-7, selecting the correct answer from the four choices given. In the United Kingdom, compulsory education ends at the age of sixteen. However, many students stay on and complete two more years. For some (and I include myself in this category) school just becomes a habit, something you don't want to give up as it is so familiar to you. School is your world, and you know nothing else, and so you just keep on going. Imagine my feelings when sixth form was over and there were no more classes to complete! Instead of feeling a sense of joy and relief, I panicked — what was I to do? The logical and best option was to go to university and continue my studies there, so that is precisely what I did. Unfortunately, the end of secondary education in the U.K. is not marked by any sense of celebration, like in other countries like the U.S.A. where students 'graduate' at the age of 18 and have a fancy ball. (In the U.K. you have to wait until you finish college or university before you can have that privilege). In the U.K. you just 'finish school!' The lucky ones have a respectable collection of qualifications to their name as souvenirs; the unlucky ones may have slipped through the net somehow and end up going back to education at a later date when they feel more like studying. Education is more than qualifications, I admit that. But they are what count at the end of the day. I made sure I got my fair share of them, just in case. Ask anyone what they remember most about school and they'd probably say the teachers. They are what makes education a humanistic experience and, therefore, are the most memorable: the good ones, the bad ones, the kindest ones, the most generous ones. I was sad to leave them all, but l always was far too nostalgic! School dinners, of course, are remembered for all the wrong reasons — the long queues, the fat dinner ladies, the greasy food! Thank goodness, they have introduced healthy eating plans in schools! Pupils are luckier nowadays! Principally, school is all about belonging to a certain community and fitting in and making a contribution. I remember struggling at certain times in the year, trying to find time for musical productions and athletics competitions. I wanted to do everything and make my school proud. What was I more — an athlete or a musician? I was both, and a scholar too; an 'all-rounder', I suppose you could say. Luckily, I was able to rely on my natural ability to get me through the exams and didn't have to spend too much time studying. I just listened to my teachers and got through that way. I thank them, really I do. So, it will come as no surprise to you to find out that I became a teacher after l finished university. I couldn't get enough of school, and so I stayed there! But this time it’s different. Now I can give something back to society. I face many challenges every day, but I keep going.