Reading Bachillerato
Reading Bachillerato
Reading Bachillerato
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HERE BE IJRAGONS
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Here be dragons." These words, accompanied by drawings of frightening imaginary beasts, O\ round on oiC
1
medieval maps. They signifed Lllat the area was unexplored, and possibly dangerous. Bul d! ail dragons reaily
frightening? Are they purely imaginary creatures or are they based on something real?
Dragon legends exist in many diferent cultures worldwide. Although their appearance varies slightly, most dragons
5
resemble reptiles with their large, scaly bodies. But Eastern dragons differ from Western ones in function and
appearance, possibly because dragons often assume the qualities of local animals.
Chinese and Asian dragons are usually depicted as knd and well-meaning. They were often associated with kngs
or gods, or positive qualjties such as longevity or wisdom. But because they also represent natural forces, especially
waLer, Chinese dragons may actually be based on Chinese alligators. This idea is reasonable because Chinese
1 o dragons are often portrayed without wings or showing any legs.
Most European dragons, however, are shown as evil, magical, fre-breathing creatures that must be killed by a hero in
order for him to rescue a princess or break a dark spell. Some experts suggest that these dragons are based on a lizard
called the Komodo dragon. It's over three metres long and has got a poisonous bite. Others believe that these dragons
were inspired by prehistoric creatures like the pterosaur- a featherless fying reptile. However, because Europeans
15 didn't know much about these prehistoric creatures until 1910, they probably didn't infuence European dragon
tradition.
Because dragons are a universal phenomenon, some experts think they must have a shared common basis. One theory
is that dragons were really comets. Viewed from Earth, comets appear to have wings :md long tails, and, like dagons.
were often thought to bring good or bad luck. Other scientists deny a common origin, and believe that dragon legends
20 grew up independently in diferent locations, possibly reflecting a human fear of dangerous animals or certain animal
characteristics such as claws and teeth.
Whatever their origin, dragons still exist today in stories worldwide. Even the waing "Here be dragons" is still
used; this is how computer programmers war others not to interfere with especially sensitive sections of code.
~- =
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1. Decide if the following sentences are true [T)
or false (F). Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers.
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2. L''' '+
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2. Complete the sentences using the information
given in the text. Use your own words as far as
possible.
1. ' ''+'' +''_' `'+'' '+' ''_
`'+' ''''+'' ''''
3. 1''_''_ ('+ '_+'j'
3. Rewrite the following sentences without
changing the original meaning.
L+''' 0l_''' ''y ''(+''' K+'
1'_ `'+' 'c''''+c`++_
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L+''' '_'
2. +_'`'+'
b. vc+H
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5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words.
Choose one option.
!'_ C'''' '''' ' '('''' ' ''+'' '+
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Read the text and and an,wer the questions that follow.
WANTED: ELVES
Teenagers who are about to leave school often consider many job opportunities. However, few are likely to think of
a career as an elf, which is now possible in Finland's Arctic Circle.
Finland claims that Santa Claus lives in its norther region of Lapland, near the North Pole, where tomists have
gone to visit him for the past two decades. These visitors are met at the aiport by professional "elves", who also
accompany them while they participate in various activities, including reindeer safaris, canoeing and hunting.
Ill These elves do more than pack up gifts bought at the Crlfistmas market and answer Santa's hundreds of thousands
of letters. They must be familiar with health and safety procedures, in addition to information about the local
environment and Santa Claus stories. Elves must speak English, and possibly other languages, as more tourists
arrive from France, Spain, Japan and Russia. Many work 14-hour days at Christmastime, and keeping children
amused and occupied all day in freezing weather can be tough.
IV Until recently, most elves were seasonal workers who received two weeks' training. However, since April 2008,
residents of all ages in the town of Rovaniemi have been able to gain a diploma after studying for year at the new
Elf Academy. This will help to guarantee standards in the tourist industry, vitally importanl in this part uf Finland,
where the unemployment rate may reach double the national average. By building on the Santa legend, about half
a million tourists now visit this area each year, providing work for local residents.
V It's true that not everyone dreams of a career that may involve wearing a green or red costume, baking gingerbread
biscuits or receiving a name like "Christmas Star". But for Finns who live in an isolated area with sub-zero
temperatures and where opportunities are few, these jobs are as welcome as presents on Christmas moring.
1. Choose the correct answer.
1. J'' ''' _ (+''''+''''' ''''
GcJ'+_ `' _' ''+'' L('
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N'+++_ ' L'' 0 K''+ `'
'''
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3. .'_ j' ' 'J
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3. Decide if the following sentences cre trLe [T)
or false (F). Ftnd evidence in the text to ustify
your ansvJers.
.. 1. 1'+'' ' L(' ' C|O''' '_'_
' '''_
.. 2. c''' ' K'N ''('+ b
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c''' _''+'_ N'++ | '_ '+' '_'
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4. Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
2. Rewrite the following sentences without
changing the original meaning.
1. 1' '+'+' +' ' ' +('+_ (+''''+''
''''
|+'''''' '''' .
2. 1'_ ' ' '+ N ' ' ''_
(+''''+''_ ' ''+' ' '+'' '
J'' '+''
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(+''''''_'...... .................................................. ......................,.................................... .
1. '_ ((+_+( '|) .
2. ''' ((+_+( ' +'_ ..
3. ''' ((+_+( 'V) .
4. '+''_ ((_( 'V) ......... ......
.
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5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words.
Choose one option.
1. '''+' '' ]' _'' '+' '
2. \'J' _' '+' ' v'+ K ' '' \_ '+ N_ '
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IS LOVE SPELLED D-N-A?
People are attracted to others for many reasons; one person may like another's values, appearance or . . . immune
system? It's not an obvious factor, but one US dating agency believes it can match members according to their
DNA.
Scientificmatch.com uses three criteria to match members. To determine core values, clients must prioritise options;
for example, they are asked what type of holiday they prefer. They must then answer questions about the person
they are looking for, including age and appearance. Although the agency claims to have superior ways of processing
this information, its methods are not so diferent from those of other similar dating agencies.
Ill A unique feature of Scientificmatch.com lies in the third component, the chemical matching. The agency asks
clients to send in a DNA sample taken from inside the cheek. This is then analysed for MHC (histocompatibility)
markers, which form part of the immune system. Members are matched with others who have got diferent, rather
than similar, markers. This, the agency claims, allows the pairing of partners who will have a better relationship.
IV According to some experiments, parents increase the chances of having healthier children by passing on to them
as many diferent MHC markers as possible. Animals instinctively select partners who have got opposite MHC
markers, because this will increase the number of diferent markers their ofspring could inherit. And indeed,
Scientificmatch.com claims its chemical matching will help create couples who are able to produce healthier
children.
V
However, many doctors ae sceptical of claims made by Sc1entificmatch.com. Although they acknowledge the
validity of the experiments, they say that too many other factors are involved in these processes, and that it's
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impossible to use DNA science in this way.
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Nevertheless, clients seem willing to pay out $1, 995 for a one-year subscription to Scientificmatch.com. At this
price, they can at least be assured that other members they meet are unlikely to be poor, even if there's no chemistry
between them!
1. Choose the correct answer.
1. 1' ''('+ ( ''' _ ' _''_
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' '+' ' ' (''''''' '('+'+ `_
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2. "_ ''''+' ''+''
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+' J'
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2. Rewrite the following sentences without
changing the original meaning.
! :''++'''' ''''' ' '
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3. Decide if the following sentences are true (T)
or false (F). Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers.
1. |''(''''J'' ' K ''''` K'' '
''_ '_ (+''+
. 2. 1' _''_ ''' (''('' `' ' _'
"L+ K'' ' | ''+ '`
4. Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
!. '+'' ((_+( ' _
2. _''''' ((+_( ) . ,,
3. '(''+J ( (_+( Ill) .................................... ............................... .
4. '''+' ((_+( IV)
5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words.
Choose one option.
! c' _' ' K '_ c ''' _''' `_ '
' (+' \_ '+ `_ '
2. - +'' ' '+_ ' '` ' ' '`'''
'''+_ (''('' \+' '''+ _+_ /
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Read the text and and answer the questions that follow.
MOBILE PHONES: GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS
Ever since mobile phones became popular in the 1990s, scientists have been trying to determine their efects on
users. Much has been written about the possible connection between the radiation emitted by mobile phones and
cancer. However, there have also been studies to investigate other aspects of mobile-phone use.
In one 2007 study, 300 people were observed for almost 30 months. One third used mobile phones frequently,
another third used them intermittently and the final third didn't use them at all. Using device that measures brain
activity, researchers found that the frequent users exhibited a slowing down of brain activity, although this rate was
still within normal limits.
111 However, this study also presented a more optimistic finding. In tests measuring neuropsychological functions such
as memory, attention, personality and executive function (which controls thought and behaviour), frequent mobile
phone users were actually found to focus their attention better. This could be because they have learned to focus on
their phone call while tuning out other distractions such as background noise.
IV But before phone users increase their chatting time in the hope that this will improve their concentration, they should
check the results of other recent studies. In 2005, researchers in the USA observed groups of young people who
talked on a mobile phone while "driving" in a simulator. They found that their reaction time when braking was the
same as that of motorists aged 65 to 74 who were not talking on the phone, making them more likely to have an
accident. In an earlier study in 2003, the same researchers found that drivers using mobile phones were even less
capable than drivers who were drunk.
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These US studies show that mobile phones should never, ever be used while driving. But because mobile phones are
relatively new, and there are no long-term studies concering cognitive efects, researchers are very cautious when
presenting other findings. While we wait for more definitive answers, it seems that the wisest policy would be to use
your mobile phone in moderation.
1. Choose the correct answer.
1. In a study in 2007 ... .
a. 300 scientists researched the effect
of mobile phones
b. it was shown that mobile-phone use prevented
normal brain activity
c. three groups were assigned different patterns
of mobile-phone use
2. Frequent mobile-phone users . .. .
a. may be better at focusing than others
b. were in general more optimistic than other
groups
c. were the main focus of the scientists' attention
2. Complete the sentences using the information
given in the text. Use your own words as far as
possible.
1. In a 2005 study in the US, it was found that young
people-----
2. The US studies show that you mustn't ---
3. Decide if the following sentences are true (T)
or false (F) . Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers.
. ! Scientists have proved that mobile phones cause
brain cancer.
.............. 2. Some neuropsychological functions of frequent
mobile-phone users may be better than those of
others.
............. 3. The writer thinks mobile phones shouldn't be
used excessively until more is known.
4. Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
1. decrease (paragraph 11) .......................................
.
..............................
2. result (paragraph l|) . -
3. hurry (paragraph IV)
4. careful (paragraph V)
5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words.
Choose one option.
!. Should the use of mobile phones while driving be
completely banned? Explain why or why not.
2. The advantages and disadvantages of mobile-phone
use in our society.
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Read the text and and answer the questions that follow.
ANYONE FOR L.tOF CARDS?
Even if they aren't players, most people the world over are familiar with a standard deck, or pack, of 52 playip. g cards.
But playing cards are not all the same, and they've evolved in diferent ways, and with diferent purposes over a long
period of time.
Playing cards were probably invented by the tenth century in China, perhaps because the Chinese had aleady invented
the paper from which the cards were made. It is thought that they eventually reached Europe via the Islamic Empire,
where suit symbols of swords and cups were added to the original designs of sticks and coins. Further changes in suits
were made locally, many of which still exist today; for example, the traditional Spanish deck retains some of the older
symbols of coins, cups and swords, whereas the German suits include hearts, leaves and bells. The spades, hearts,
clubs and diamonds of the standard deck now used in Britain and the United States, an
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interationally for poker and
bridge, came from the original French suits.
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But while the front, or "face", of the cards changed, the backs remained blank. This allowed people to use them for
many other purposes, including invitations and love letters. In Belgium, a baby abandoned at an orphanage was
sometimes accompanied by a playing card displaying a name and message
:
If the card was tom, the infant's mother
planned to come back with her half and claim her child; but if it was complete, she had no intention of returing.
Playing cards also became an early type of paper money when the French goveror of Canada used them to pay his
war debts in 1685. Eventually, the backs of the cards were decorated for beauty, entertainment or advertising.
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IV Today, playing cards are used not only for games, but also, for example, to perform magic tricks. But when we
reflect on cards and their changing role over the centuries, perhaps we should realise that the real "magic" is in the
cards themselves.
.
1. Choose the correct answer.
! Playing cards today ... .
a. are probably known to most people in the world
b. have become standardised over a long period of
time
c. have evolved differently but for the same
reasons
2. Playing cards have been used . .. .
a. as a way of tracing the fathers of orphaned
babies
b. as a form of paper money by a Canadian
governor
c. to advertise beauty products or entertainment
events
2. Decide if the following sentences are true (T)
or false (F). Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers .
....... 1. Playing cards came to China before they were
known in Europe.
2. In the past, people often used playing cards as
invitations.
*'*'**** *-
.. ,__ ,_____________,_________ ,,,.................... __________ ,................. ... --. . -;------.. -................ .
.-.....-...~ ...~-..... .. = .-. = ............... .......................... ,, ... ................ ,,,_,,, ... _,_,-,, , .., .. _ ...=..-. ... ...+-...-~ .--...---.... -- .
...... ...... 3. Playing cards aren't used to perform magic
tricks.
-- -~-.1.. .... ............... -... .........= ..o=............. , - . ..-,,,......... ,.,,., ... .. ... ..(+-o + =voroo+-n--v----~-*-o+ * -*~ .
. .......... ......... , ,... =___ .. ,..-- . ...... ....... .................... --.................................. -........ "' .. .... .
3. Rewrite the following sentences without
changing the original meaning.
1. The Chinese had already invented paper.
Paper ................................................................. .........................-............. ............................... .......................... ..........
2. She had no intention of returning.
She did not .......................................... ......................................................................... ......................................... ..
4. Complete the sentences using the information
given in the text. Use your own words as far as
possible.
! The first playing cards used suit symbols of ........ . . ...................... ..
2. The original French suits now appear on .......... -.-.............................. ..
3. In the past, the only decoration on playing cards
5. Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
! over a period of time
(paragraph 11)
2. first of a kind (paragraph )
3. empty (paragraph Ill)
6. Write a composition of about 100-150 words .
Choose one option.
! it has been said that playing games is a good
preparation for life. Do you agree? Why or why not?
2. Do you agree that children's exposure to video games
should be limited? Explain the reasons for your answer.
- -`'~
. *
Read the text and and answer the questions that follow.
THE REALLY TERRlBLE ORCHESTRA
Children are often taught to play a musical instrument. While a large number of them quit when they grow older,
there are those who continue playing. A few become professional musicians; others may join an amateur group for
fun. But most will never get the chance to play in public.
To give enthusiastic but untalented players the chance to perform together, the Really Terible Orchestra (RTO) was
formed in 1995. Members, many of whom were successful professionals in fields such as banking, medicine,
literature and law, took music lessons, rehearsed carefully and hired a professional conductor. However, despite
taking all these measures, their lack of talent didn't go unnoticed. Some players simply omitted the musical notes
they had difficulty _playing. One cellist not only had a hearing problem but couldn't remember which string was
which. Although he pencilled in the names on his instrument, he still rarely got them right. Sometimes members even
discovered that they were playing diferent pieces of music, by diferent composers, simultaneously!
111 To its own surprise, the RTO has become a hit. There have been successful concerts in Edinburgh, London and
elsewhere. Orchestra members admit that the free wine ofered before the concert may help the audience's
appreciation, but this doesn't account for the sales of the RTO's CDs. In addition, a real composer has written an
original work for them, and their conductor, Richard Neville Tow le, has been
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Read the text and and answer the questions that follow.
BLOWING HOT AND COLD
We all know that changes in the weather can influence our physical health, or alter outdoor events, such as causing
the cancellation of a football match. But changes in the weather have also had a dramatic influence on world history.
Often, a historic event occurs when the population becomes restless as a result of food shortages caused by changes in
the weather. For example, the cooling of the world's temperature by only half a degree around 476 AD caused crops to
fail in norther areas of present-day Europe. The barbarians living there moved south to find food, eventually reaching
the Roman Empire, and causing its collapse. Similarly, food in France, already in short supply due to a lack of rain,
became even scarcer when crops were destroyed by a hailstorm in 1788. This sparked riots among the frustrated
population, resulting in the French Revolution the following year.
111 However, other weather phenomena have altered history. A thick fog enabled George Washington's troops to retreat
unseen by the British in 1776, allowing them the opportunity to regroup and gain a decisive military victory for the
United States in 1781. And Russia has been saved three times by the severity of its winter, first from Charles XII of
Sweden in 1706, then from Napoleon in 1812 and most recently from Hitler in 194 1.
IV Social and cultural history is also afected by the weather. Hot weather can increase violence, probably by altering
serotonin levels in the brain, and high outdoor temperatures have been blamed for causing summer riots in some US
cities in the 1960s. In contrast, cold weather may also have an efect. Unusually cold temperatures in Europe between
1520 and 1770 slowed the growth of trees, causing the wood to become abnormally dense. Violins crafted from this
wood produce particularly fine sounds.
V In 1965, Bob Dylan famously sang, "You don't need a weatherman to kow which way the wind blows". Perhaps not,
but maybe you do need a weatherman, or weathergirl, to understand history.
1. Choose the correct answer.
1. Crop failure ... .
a. causes people to become tired of events
b. probably occurred in the city of Rome in 476 AD
c. may be triggered by small temperature changes
2. The French Revolution ... .
a. followed rioting by the hungry population
b. occurred the year before a sudden hailstorm
c. caused food to become more scarce than before
3. High outdoor temperatures .. . .
a. can be violently affected by serotonin levels in
the brain
b. sometimes cause people to become violent if
they are blamed
c. have led to summer riots in the USA in the
1960s
2. Decide if the following sentences are true (T)
or false (F). Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers .
.............. 1. Using dense wood makes violins sound
particularly good.
........ 2. Bob Dylan thought that you needed a
weatherman to understand history.
3. Complete the sentences using the information
given i the text. Use your own words as far
as possible.
1. The severe Russian winters ....................................... =................... ... ........._......,........_,.. ,....
2. In Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries,
trees ............................................................................................................................. ............ ............................,.....,....__ .
4. Answer the question according to the
information in the text.
In what way did the weather affect George
Washington's troops in the 18th century?
5. Find words or expressions in the text that
mean the opposite of:
1. calm (paragraph 11)
2. succeed (paragraph 11)
3. loss (paragraph Ill)
4. reduction (paragraph IV)
6. Write a composition of about 1 00-150 words .
Choose one option.
1. Researchers say the temperature of the world is
increasing due to global warming. What could be
the result for our cultural, social or political life?
2. Explain how the weather affected an event in your
personal life or an event that you've heard about.
..
Read the text and and answer the questions that follow.
INTRODUCING THE NANO
Util recently, many people in India couldn't aford a car. Entire families including young children and even babies
would ride around on two-wheeled scooters. This was obviously dangerous, ineficient and unpleasant in extreme
heat, cold or rain.
Ratan Tata, chairman of India's Tata Motors, decided to do something to improve the situation. He promised to
create a car that middle-class Indians could aford. It took approximately four years, and some help from investors
from other countries, but he kept his promise. In January 2008, he introduced the Tata Nano, a small car that costs
only about 100,000 Indian rupees ( 1,600).
Ill The basic version of the N ano is pretty ... well, basic. Only three metres long and about one and a half metres wide,
the car seats five if they are willing to sit practically on top of each other. However, it contains all the necessary
features: brakes, a four-speed manual transmission, a steering wheel, seatbelts and one windscreen wiper. It has also
got four doors, four windows, locks and a very small boot. For those who want features this model lacks - such as
air-bags, air-conditioning, radio and passenger-side mirror- there are deluxe versions available, for an extra cost.
IV By providing safe, afordable transport, Tata hopes the car will help millions of Indians to connect better across their
vast sub-continent. But not everyone is so pleased with this new creation. Although the car is said to be fuel eficient
and will meet both local and European emission standards, environmentalists claim that millions of new cars will
increase dangerous carbon emissions substantially. Experts also worry that India's infrastructure will not be able to
support a large number of new cars, creating terrible trafic jams and long commutes.
V The Nano will at first be sold only in India, but there are plans to make it available soon in Africa, Latin America and
Southeast Asia. It may eventually even reach Europe, although probably in a modified and more expensive form. But
who knows? It may not be long before your new car costs the same as your TV.
1. Choose the correct answer.
1. ' ' '_+'_ ' `'`'''' '''''
`' '+ '+'('+ '' ''' ''
''' '+' '' '`_ +
`' '' (+'' ' `'+
2. ' ' '+'' '' '' .
''+'' ' '' '+'' `'
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J. ''''' ' ''
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`'' '+ '''''(_ '++''
'''' ' '(' | c'('
2. Decide if the following sentences are true (T)
or false (F). Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers .
..... 1. | ' ' ' ' ' ' ' |'''
'(
......... 2. ' 1 '' ' '_ ' ' ' '
'['' ' 1,600.
..J ' '` `' '( ' '' ' '''
'+'' ' ''
3. Rewrite the following sentences without
changing the original meaning.
1. | (+''''_ '`''+''
'''''' ' '' ''
| ('''' . . .
2. '' ''+'' ' (''''' ` ' +''
' ''
4. Answer the question according to the
information in the text.
V (''' ''' '' ' ' +'''
'' '' ' '
5. Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
1. ' '' '( '
'''_ ((_( I)
2. ' '''_ ''+
((+_( )
J. ' ' `' '''_
' ''''' ( (_( ' ++_
4. ' '(''' ((_+( ' `_
6. Write a composition of about 100-150 words.
Choose one option .
1. `'I' '' (' '''' ' '+'''
''+_ (' '+' c(' `'` '
2. c'''' ''_''' '''_'' ' '`_
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Creating the World We Want
Imagine a place where there i s no sound of traffic. Imagine a place where all you can hear are birds singing,
children playing and bicycle bells ringing. Residents of Vauban, a suburb of the German town Freiburg, live in
such a place. This environmentally-friendly neighbourhood is practically car-free.
It is permitted for residents to own cars in Vauban, but those who do must park them in large garages at the
edge of the town. A space in one of these garages is expensive, costing around 20,000. It is hardly surprising,
therefore, that 10per cent of residents live without a car.
So how do people get by without a car? The town has been planned in a way that enables people to live
comfortabl y without having to use a car. There are shops, restaurants, banks and schools in different areas
of Vauban. As a result, residents are able to get to most places on foot. For shopping trips or for transporting
young children, many people have got carts that they pull behind bicycles.
The Vauban experiment has been seen as a possible model for a future way of living in an age of climate
change. Experts around the world believe that gas emissions from cars play a significant role in global
warming. As a result, there is a growing trend i n Europe and the United States to attempt to reduce private car
use. In Copenhagen, for example, the city maintains bicycles for public use.
While Vauban may well be a sign of things to come, it has still not been imitated on a large scale around the
world. Yet if Vauban residents are indeed intent on changing the world and not just the small suburb where they
live, they will first have to find a way to convince people that it is possible to live without cars. That may not
be such an easy task.
Choose the correct answer. 4. Choose the best meaning for each word or
I n Vauban . . . .
phrase.
a . no-one owns a car
! hardl y (paragraph 2)
b. there i s nowhere t o park
a . very b. al most not c. completel y
c. there are very few cars 2. get by (paragraph 3)
The resi dents of Vauban . . . .
a . travel b. shop c. cope
a . l i ve at the edge of town 3. mai ntai ns (paragraph 4)
b. wal k a l ot a. keeps b. prohi bi ts c. destroys
c. don't do a l ot of shoppi ng
4. task (paragraph 5)
a. tri p b. j ob c. day
Complete the sentences using the information
given in the text. Use your own words as far
5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words
as possible.
in your notebook. Choose ONE option.
Peopl e are abl e to manage wi thout a car i n
1 . An opinion essay: Woul d you l i ke to l i ve in a
Vauban because
town that is car-free? Why or why not?
I n Vauban, peopl e prefer to l i ve wi thout a car
2. A for and against essay: The advantages and
because
di sadvantages of owni ng a car.
3. Decide if the following sentences are true
or false. Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers.
1. Peopl e use thei r bi cycl es when they go
shoppi ng.
2. Governments around the worl d would l i ke to
reduce peopl e's dependence on cars.
3. The wri ter bel i eves that the Vauban experi ment
has changed the worl d.
Exam Practice
Nature Deficit Disorder
In the past many kids would get home from school, get on their bikes and di sappear into parks and woods until
it got dark. Today, however, thi s is not the case. Most children prefer to spend their free time indoors in front
of a television or a computer screen. Recently, parents and educators have become increasingly concerned that
children' s lack of contact with nature is having detrimental efects on their overall health.
Richard Louv, author of the bestseller LxtCb//J/ntbe WooJx, has argued that children suffer physically and
mentally from lack of contact with nature. He believes that dozens of problems ranging from depression to
attention deficit disorder can be triggered by alienation from nature, a condition that he has called "Nature
Deficit Di sorder". He is convinced that contact with the outside world can reduce stress, increase a person's
attention span and stimulate creativity and cognitive development.
Louv claims that nature deficit di sorder has been caused by a number of factors. Firstly, computers, video
games and television have given children more and more reasons to stay inside. In addition, many parks and
nature reserves have "do not walk off the trail" signs. This means that children have less access to the "natural"
outdoors.
Yet, according to Louv, the leading cause of nature deficit disorder may in fact be parents' attitudes. He
suggests that parents today are so afraid of allowing their children to explore freely outside that they are
keeping their kids indoors in order to protect them from danger.
While there is no absolute scientific proof to support Louv' s claims, most parents know from experience that
the easiest way to calm an irritable child is to go outside. If parents simply encourage the kind of outdoor play
that they remember from their own youth, it will be a good thing.
1. Choose the correct answer.
1 . I n the past, chi l dren . . . .
a. di sappeared a l ot
b. rode thei r bi kes i n the dark
c. spent a l ot of ti me outdoors
2. Ri chard Louv cl ai ms that . . . .
a . chi l dren have a l ot of contact wi th natu re
b. i t is i mportant to have contact wi th nature
c. chi l dren who have contact wi th nature are
stressed
2. Complete the sentences using the information
given in the text. Use your own words as far
as possible.
1 . Ch i l dren who do not have contact wi th nature
are more l i kel y to
2 . Chi l dren suffer from nature defi ci t di sorder
because
J. Decide if the following sentences are true or
false. Find evidence in the text to justify your
answers.
1 . Accordi ng to Louv, chi ldren who have contact
wi th nature can concentrate better than those
who don't .
2 . Pa rents are unabl e to protect thei r chi l dren from
nature defi ci t di sorder.
3. Louv's cl ai ms have been sci enti fi cal l y proved.
4. The wri ter supports Louv's cl ai ms.
4. Find words or expressions in the text that
mean:
1 . harmful (paragraph I )
2 . many (paragraph 2)
3 . caused (paragraph 2)
4. mai n (paragraph 4)
5 . chi l dhood (paragraph 5)
5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE option.
1 . An opi nion essay: Do you thi nk that spendi ng
ti me outsi de hel ps peopl e you r age? Why or
why not?
2 . A descri pti on: Descri be a pl ace i n your
nei ghbourhood where you enjoy spendi ng ti me
outdoors.
8b
1.
1 .
2.
2.
1 .
2.
J.
680 @ tMARKs!
THc powc|oItHcsca
OOne day, the sea coul d wipe out most of the east
coast of the USA and the north-west coast of Africa,
and cause extensive damage to the western coasts of
Spain, Portugal and the British Isl es. Al l of this may
5 happen the next time Cumbre Vieja erupts.
OCu mbre Vieja is the most active volcano in the
Canaries. At any time from a year to to-thousand
years i n the future, the volcano wil l erupt and one side
of the volcano wil l fal l into the sea. This wil l generate a
1 0 series of huge waves, cal led tsunamis, which wil l race
across the Atlantic at s peeds approaching 800
kil ometres an hour.
An hour after the eruption, mega-tsunamis 50 to
1 00 metres high and 600 kil ometres wide would hit the
1 5 north-west coast of Africa. The eastern half of La Pal ma
woul d shiel d northern Europe from the worst tsunamis.
I Read the text and answer the questi ons in your own
words. (4 marks)
1 Whi ch area of Europe woul d be the l east affected by
th e tsunami s? Why?
2 What must world govern ments do to protect us?
8TE P 5 T U K f A 0 l R G 5 0 L L f 5 5
Answer in your own words
1 Underli ne the key words i n th e questi on.
2 Scan the text to fnd the i nformati on.
3 Thi nk of di fferent ways of expressi ng the same
i dea as the text.
4 Write complete sentences. Do not copy whol e
phrases from the text.
Z Are the sentences |tueor J/Se!Gi ve evi dence for your
answers. ( 4 marks)
1 Waves travel l i ng at 600 ki l ometres an hour woul d
arrive on t he north -west coast of Afri ca.
2 Sci enti sts know exactly when Cumbre Vieja wi l l erupt.
$ Fi nd synonyms in the text for the fol lowi ng words.
(5 marks)
1 destroy p0r0gr0phA
2 go fast p0r0gr0ph5
3 protect p0r0gr0ph C
4 coasts p0r0gr0ph C
5 payi ng for p0r0gr0phD
EM PRCTICE NATURAL DI SASTERS
After three to six hours, smal l er waves would arrive on
the shores of Portugat mainland Spain and the UK.
About nine hours after the eruption, a dozen giant
20 25-metre-high waves woul d crash over the eastern
coasts of North and South America and rush up to 30
kil ometres inland, destroying houses, skyscrapers and
bridges in their path. New York, Boston and Miami
coul d disappear.
25 OAl though Cumbre Vieja wil l erupt one day, we
shoul dn't panic. If world governments start funding
essential seismic monitoring within the volcano,.
scientists wil l be able to accurately predict the timing
and effects of the next eru ption. Then peopl e in the
30 affected areas wil l have time to evacuate if necessary
and this natural disaster won't become a human disaster
as wel l .
4 Choose the correct opti on for sentences 1 and 2. Give
evi dence for your answers. (2 marks)
1 If the si de of the vol cano fal l s i nto the sea, the
U K wi l l ...
A shi el d the rest of northern Europe.
6 arrive on the shores of Portugal .
C experi ence smal l er waves than north-west Afri ca.
2 If the si de of the vol cano fal l s i nto the sea ...
A North Ameri ca wi l l not be affected.
6 a lot of bui l di ngs wi l l be destroyed.
C peopl e wi l l not be abl e to escape.
Summarize the text usi ng your own words. Write 50
words. (5 marks)
Wf t @ teMARKS
b Choose one of the essay tasks. Write 80-1 20 words.
1 ' Natural di sasters are the greatest th reat to
h umani ty today.' Di scuss.
2 You are a sci enti st based in La Pal ma. Write to the
Span i sh govern ment to expl ai n the i mportance of
mon itori ng Cumbre Vi eja and to ask for assi stan ce.
L F L L L L L K L h L 1
08d @ 1 20 MARKs I
To smacko|notto smackl
In 2004, the British government changed the law
on disciplining children. Now, parents are al l owed to
smack their children as long as they do not cause mental
or physical damage or leave a mark. Critics say that the
5
UK had its chance to ban smacking but failed to take it.
: Teachers in British state schools have been banned
from smacking children since 1 998, but parents were
al l owed to use 'reasonable' physical punishment until
2004. The probl em was how to defne 'reasonable'.
10
Most loving parents only use discipline to help the child
to learn and develop correctly. However, there have
been cases of excessive punishment, which is why
campaigners are demanding a stricter law to protect the
rights of children.
15
Children's rights supporters say that it is wrong to
use violence to show children that they have been
bad. They say that if you use viol ence, the child in turn
becomes violent, and that children must be brought
up in a loving environment.
I Read the text and choose the correct option for sentences
1-3. Give evi dence for your answers. (3 marks)
1 Th e Briti sh govern ment has banned . . .
A di sci pl i ni ng chi l dren.
6 al l smacki ng.
C harmful smacki ng.
2 Chi l dren' s ri ghts supporters th i nk that . . .
A chi l dren who are smacked wi l l be aggressi ve.
6 parents must be stri cter.
C the law must hel p peopl e to l earn and devel op.
3 Some parents say that . . .
A smacki ng is always better than shouti ng.
6 they must smack bul l i es.
C it is hard to th i nk of di fferent puni sh ments.
S T E P S T O R E A D I N G S U C C E S S
Multiplechoice questions
1 Read the text fi rst.
2 Read al l the opti ons very careful ly.
3 Compare the relevant secti on of the text i n detai l
before you el i mi nate i ncorrect answers.
4 Do not worry if more than one opti on is true.
Only sel ect the answer that i s correct accord i ng
to the text.
EM PRACTICE C CRI ME AND PUNI SHMENT
20 Many parents respond by saying that it is diffcult
to devise appropriate al ternatives to corporal
punishment. l t may be worse for a parent to shout at
or humiliate a chil d than to smack them. Anti
smackers answer that parents need to make the
25 punishment ft the crime. For exampl e, if a girl bul l ies
another girl in th street, then they should forbid her
to play in the street for two days.
Opinions remain very divided. Some think that
smacking children is as unacceptabl e as hitting your
3 0 neighbour. Others argue that a smack doesn't real ly do
a child any harm - it is a natura l way to tel l a chil d that
certain behaviour is wrong.
Z Answer the questi ons in you r own words. (4 marks)
1 What was the probl em with the system that al lowed
' reasonabl e' puni sh ment?
2 What type of puni sh ment is an alternative to
corporal pun i sh ment?
$ Fi nd synonyms in the text for the followi ng words.
(5 marks)
1 prohi bi t p0ngnphA
2 nati onal p0ngnph5
3 i nvent p0ngnphD
4 physi cal p0ngnphD
5 uses strength to hurt or fri ghten p0ngnphD
4 Complete the sentences with i nformati on from the text.
Use your own words. (4 marks)
1 Under the 2004 l awg parents . . . . . . .
2 Si nce I S, it has been i l l egal . . . . . . .
Summarize the text usi ng your own words. Write 50
words. (4 marks)
Wf t @ I 20 MARKsl
b Choose one of the essay tasks. Write 80-1 20 words.
1 Di scuss the advantages and di sadvantages of
ban ni ng corporal puni shment i n school s.
2 'Corporal puni shment has no pl ace for adults or
chi l dren i n a ci vi l i zed soci ety. ' Di scuss.
L F L L L m
08d @ 1 2o MARKs ,
WHosto| cmyjobl
OTabl oid newspapers often carry sensational ized
stories about the UK being invaded by immigrants. But
is the UK real ly being taken over by greedy foreigners?
OSince the Romans ca
m
e to thousand years ago,
5 the British I sl es have seen infuxes of peopl e from al l
over the world. The Romans, Vikings, and Normans
were fol l owed more recently by thousands of people
from the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, contributing to
the exciting cul tural mix that is modern Britain.
1 OMost immigrants hold val id visas and work permits,
but not everyone is so l ucky. Every year, mi l l ions of
peopl e have to leave their country because it is too
dangerous for them to stay there. If they apply for
asyl um in the UK and their appl ication is successful,
15 they can l ive and work in the UK.
OI mmigrants are often accused of takingjobs from
British-born inhabitants. I n fact, statistics show that
immigrants contribute more money to their host
countries than they receive. This stimul ates the
20 economy and more jobs are created.
Read the text and answer the questions in your own
words. (4 marks)
1 How do i mmi grants sti mul ate economi c growth?
2 I s it fai r for Bri ti sh peopl e to compl ai n about
i mmi grants? Why? fWhy not?
Z Rewrite t he sentences. (8 marks)
1 I di dn't apply for a vi sa. I can't go to the USA.
I f I had . . . . . . .
2 Ofcer: ' Have you ever hel d a Bri ti sh passport?'
She wanted to know . . . ... .
3 I mmi grants start many n ew busi nesses every month.
Many new ... ... .
4 There are fewer refugees than l egal i mmi grants.
There aren' t as . . . . . . .
S T E P S T O R E A D I N G S U C C E S S
Rewriting sentences
1 Thi nk careful l y about the grammar of the origi nal
sentence.
2 Rewrite the sentence usi ng the correct grammar.
3 Check that the rewritten senten ce has the same
meani ng as t he fi rst sentence.
EM PRACTICE D I MMI GRATI ON
UThe UK's population is getting ol der, and there is a
lack of skil led peopl e in many publ ic services.
Furthermore, if the UK's popul ation becomes more
highly skil led, there wil l be more jobs that people do
25 not want to do. One study predicts that we need to
increase immigration by a ffth to prevent an economic
crisis.
UAnyway, how can the British compl ain about
.
immigrants when so many thousands of Britons choose
30 to l ive abroad? And what would we be eating if it
weren't for the rich cuisine that immigrants have
brought to our country? For more than a decade, the
most popul ar food in the UK has been curry - an
I ndian dish.
$ Fi nd synonyms i n the text for the fol lowi ng words.
3marks)
1 ask for p0ngr0phC
2 gi ve p0r0gnphD
3 cookery p0ngnph/
4 Summarize the text usi ng your own words. Write 50
words. ( 5 marks)
Wf t @ I 20 MARKsl
Choose one of the essay tasks. Write 80-120 words.
1 Write a bi ography of a person who has had to l eave
t hei r country.
2 I magi ne that a fri end has gone to l i ve i n a forei gn
country. Write a l etter aski ng about thei r new l i fe and
givi ng your n ews from home.
08d @ I 20 MARKsi
A|c mob| | cpHoncstoogoodto bc t|0cl
OOnly ten years ago, if you were meeting your
friends, you'd arrange the time and place beforehand.
Today, thanks to mobile phones, the pl ace or time
can change as the meeting gets nearer. There are now
5 more than ! . 5 bil l ion mobil e users around the world;
mobiles are unstoppabl e. Or are they? The technolog
has at least three major faws, only two of which have
obvious sol utions.
OFirstly, the use of mobile phones can be
10 dangerous. Even though it is il legal in many countries
to use a mobile while driving, many peopl e have died
because they were using their phone in the car.
HSecondly, mobile phone masts are everhere,
and there' l l be even more, about 32, 000 in the UK,
1 5 when 3G (third generation) mobiles are the norm.
Read the text and answer the questi ons i n your own
words. (4 marks)
1 Whi ch is probably th e most seri ous probl em wi th
mobi l es? Why?
2 What does ' i t coul d be th e end of t he mobi l e
phenomenon' mean? Why does the aut hor say thi s?
Z Fi nd synonyms i n the text for t he followi ng words.
(Imarks)
1
2
3
4
5
6
I
d efects p0ngr0phA
cl ever p0ngnphC
hi de p0ngnphC
man- made p0r0gr0phC
very bi g p0ngnph0
unq uesti onabl e p0r0gr0ph0
proof p0r0gr0ph0
5 T f P 5 T O k f A 0 I N 6 5 U L L f 5 5
Finding synonyms
1 Are you l ooki ng for a noun, a verb, an adverb or
an adj ecti ve?
2 Is t here a prefx or a suffx? The same prefxes or
suffxes (i n cl udi ng verb endi ngs) may be
repeated i n t he word you are l ooki ng for.
3 I denti fy any possi bl e matches i n th e paragraph.
4 Check: do the words mean exactly the sa me?
EXM PRCTICE E MOBI LE TECHNOLOGY
Luckily, these days, there are lots of ingenious ways to
hide masts. In the countryside, one of the best ideas is
to put the antennas inside tal l artifcial pine trees. I n
cities, hundreds of everyday objects such as church
20 towers now conceal antennas.
Unfortunately, there is a third faw of mobile
phones that won't go away - and it coul d become a
huge probl em. Mobile phones and masts emit
radiation of a tpe which coul d cause cancer. This
25 radiation is al l around us - the same variet is al so
emitted by microwave ovens and cordless digital
phones. There is as yet no incontrovertible evidence
that mobiles cause cancer, but as time goes on some
experts predict that this evidence wil l be found. And
30 when it is found, it coul d be the end of the mobile
phone phenomenon.
$ Connect the two pai rs of sentences usi ng whtch.
(4 marks)
1 You were tal ki ng about a 3G phone. Is that it?
I s that . . .
2 My mobi l e is 3G. lt can record vi deo cl i ps from the
i ntern et.
My mobi l e, ...
4 Summarize the text usi ng your own words. Write 50
words. ( 5 marks)
Wf t @ I 20 MARKSI
Choose one of t he essay tasks. Write 80-1 20 words.
1 You are th e head teacher of a school . You have
deci ded to ban mobi l e phon es at the school . Write a
l etter expl ai ni ng your deci si on to th e parents of your
students.
2 Di scuss some of th e advantages and di sadvantages
of mobi l e phones.
1
-
A Hunt for the Ruyi
Touring a city usually means being taken round by a guide in a group or going to the famous sights on your own with
the help of a guidebook. However, if you 're planning on visiting Rome, there is now a new and entertaining way of
seeing i t. This new way turs a visit to the Eteral Cit into an exciting game with the use of a mobile phone and
a guidebook known as The Ruyi, written by Alberta Toso Fei.
The game focuses on a hunt for the Ruyi , a mythical magic sceptre. In Fei 's story, Marco Polo, the famous explorer,
steals the sceptre from Kublai Khan, the Chinese emperor. To "find" the sceptre, players have to answer questions
using clues sent as text messages to their mobile phones. By using the clues, players identify and then visit famous
landmarks in the city, such as the Colosseum. They lea about the sights as the search for the Ruyi continues.
The entries in the guidebook that describe the places to visit cannot be understood without the help of a special code.
To obtain the code, players have to send a text message to a phone number given in the guidebook. The code helps
players make sense of the entry and identify the sight they will visit. When players reach the landmark, they receive
another text message containing a question. The answer to this question can be found at the sight. Players text the
correct reply and get a new code for the next sight. And so the hunt continues.
The clues can lead to any of 60 landmarks and monuments throughout Rome. The players visit both the famous
sights of the city, as well as some lesser known ones that they might not vi sit on a normal tour of Rome. The game
can last from two to nine hours, and may be played alone or in teams.
Of course, the Ruyi is never found. However, this shouldn' t bother those who take part in the hunt for the mythical
sceptre. The real treasure is experiencing a fun, new way to visit the Eteral City.
1 . Choose the correct answer.
1 . The Eternal Ci ty refers to . . . .
a. a new gui debook
b. Rome
c. an exci ti ng game
2. The code hel ps pl ayers . . . .
a. read the text message
b. use thei r mobi l e phones
c. understand what's wri tten i n the gui debook
3. The game . . . .
a. may take up to ni ne hours to pl ay
b. i s al ways pl ayed i n teams
c. cannot be pl ayed al one
4. Accordi ng to the author, the true reward i s . . . .
a. fi ndi ng the Ruyi
b. enjoyi ng a new way of touri ng Rome
c. vi si ti ng a l andmar k
2. Fi nd words or expressi ons i n the text that
mean:
1 . fun (paragraph 1 )
2 . receive (paragraph 3)
3. fi nd the answer
( paragraph 3)
<. parti ci pate (pa ragraph 5)
3. Rewrite the sentences without changi ng thei r
ori gi nal meani ng.
1 . A vi si t to Rome becomes an exci ti ng game
through the use of a mobi l e phone and
a gui debook.
A mobi l e phone and a gui debook .
2. Entri es i n the gui debook cannot be understood
wi thout the hel p of a speci al code.
The pl ayers
3. Pl ayers text the correct reply and get a new code
to move on to the next si te.
Pl ayers move on by
4. Write a composition of about 1 00- 1 50 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE opti on.
1 . A for and agai nst essay: The advantages
and di sadvantages of goi ng on an organi sed
tour when travel l i ng.
2. A descri pti on: Descri be a city that you have
vi si ted.
j r
I Exam Praci ce
Car Clubs
A small two-door car, a family-sized saloon, a van or a petrol-electric hybrid? Most people don' t change their car
every day. But members of car-sharing schemes can select the car most suitable for their needs for every single
jourey they make.
Car-sharing schemes, or car clubs as they are known in Britain, now exist in over 600 cities worldwide. Although
details vary, most clubs operate in roughly the same way. After their driving record is approved, members join
by paying a fee. Then, usually by phone or over the Interet, they may book any car belonging to their scheme,
collecting it from, and returing it to, any designated location. Often, the membership card itself unlocks the car.
Payment is based on the time reserved and the kilometres driven.
Joining a club offers members many advantages. First, they usually save money, because they don' t have to pay for
insurance, maintenance or petrol. Second, many members find that their health improves; they often walk or cycle as
an alterative to driving on short joureys. Third, parking is easier, as more cities reserve special spaces for car-club
vehicles. Finally, there is prestige - clubs provide newer and better models of cars than many members could afford
to own.
Car-sharing schemes also benefit society as a whole. One club claims that each of its 28 vehicles replaces the need
for between five and eight privately owned cars, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 320 tons annually.
Less trafic also lowers urban noise levels and the appearance of local neighbourhoods may improve too, as more
gardens and fewer garages appear.
These schemes don' t suit everyone. Some people need to know that their own car is waiting for them outside their
home. Others who drive long distances for work may find that owning a private car is cheaper. But for drivers who
don' t mind putting a little thought into planning their joureys in order to help themselves and the environment, car
clubs are an ideal solution.
1 . Choose the correct answer.
1 . Members of car-shari ng schemes . . . .
a. can sel ect a sui tabl e vehi cl e for every journey
b. make only si ngl e j ourneys in each car
c. don' t get to choose the car
2. Car-cl ub members . . . .
a. must al ways pi ck up and retu rn the car to
the same pl ace
b. are often abl e to reserve thei r car wi thout
enteri ng an office
c. use a personal i denti fi cati on number to
unl ock the car door
3. Peopl e who joi n car cl ubs . . . .
a. general l y fi nd i t l ess expensi ve than owni ng
a private car
b. usual l y get a di scount on thei r car repai rs
and i nsurance
c. can often borrow bi cycl es as wel l as cars
2. Answer the question.
How do car cl ubs hel p the envi ronment?
3. Rewrite the sentences wi thout changi ng thei r
origi nal meani ng.
1 . Car cl ubs provi de new and better model s of
cars.
New and better model s of cars
2. Others fi nd that owni ng a private car i s cheaper.
Others fi nd that it . .+ + w= -&mz=s += + ~&
4. Fi nd words in the text that mean:
1 . more or l ess (paragraph 2)
2. gi ves (paragraph 3)
3. hel p (paragraph 4)
4. l ess expensive (paragraph 5)
5. Write a compositi on of about 1 00- 1 50 words
i n your notebook. Choose ONE opti on.
1 . An opi ni on essay: What is your i deal mea s _ ;
transport? Gi ve reasons.
2. A for and aga i nst essay: The advanta:e: :
di sadvantages of owni ng a car.
c
z
99
100
r:
- . . .
The Changing Face of Friendship
faking friends used to be a matter of going out and meeting people. Nowadays, thanks to Facebook, you can meet
nev people without having to leave the comfort of your computer chair.
Facebook was launched in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, a student at Harvard University who has since been described
as ''the youngest bil lionaire on Earth".
embership was initially restricted to Harvard students. The site became an overight success and was eventually
opened up to the general publ ic. Today, anyone over the age of 13 with a valid e-mail address can join Facebook.
It's free to users, but makes a profit from online advertising.
When people sign up for Face book, they create a personal profile and can choose to join one or more networks, for
example, their school or workplace. Users can gain access to their friends' profiles and connect with them. Facebook
users may also discover that they are only two or three clicks away from re-establishing contact with friends from the
past.
Many kinds of friendships are maintained through Face book, but some which are out of the ordinary may be formed
as well. For example, you can make "friends" with people you have communicated with through e-mail but have
never met in person. All you have to do is fi nd their profiles on Face book and ask them to be your "friends". People
collect hundreds of "friends" and thereby give the impression that they are popular.
So, has Facebook changed the notion of what it is to be a friend? Once, you would choose your friends from amongst
the people you saw regularly. They were those you had the most in common with and who you could share your
feelings with. They were ready to help you and you were always ready to help them in retur.
Is Facebook a sign of what will happen to society in the future? Will people give up the challenges of true friendship
in favour of computer-generated relationships on sites such as Facebook? Virtual friends, after all, will never
disappoint you.
1 . Choose the correct answer.
1 . I n the earl y days of Facebook, . . . .
a. anyone coul d j oi n
b. onl y Mark Zuckerberg's fri ends coul d regi ster
c. onl y peopl e who studi ed at Harvard coul d
regi ster
2. A fri end on Face book . . . .
a . i s al ways someone you've met
b. may be someone that you've never met
c. i s al ways someone that you meet regul arl y
2. Rewrite the sentences without changi ng thei r
origi nal meani ng.
1 . Facebook was l aunched i n 2004 by Mark
Zuckerberg. He was a student at Harvard
Uni versi ty.
Mark Zuckerberg, who .
2. Zuckerberg has been descri bed as "the youngest
bi l l i onai re on Ea rth . "
Peopl e . . .. .
3. Answer the questi on.
How i s maki ng fri ends today di fferent from how i t
was i n the past?
4. Fi nd words or expressi ons i n the text that
mean:
1 . started (paragraph 2)
2. at no cost (paragraph 3)
3. regi ster (paragraph 4) . . = += .
4. unusual ( paragraph 5)
5 . i dea (paragraph 6)
5. Write a compositi on of about 1 00-1 50 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE opti on.
1 . A for and agai nst essay: The advantages and
di sadvantages of maki ng fri ends on Facebook.
2. An opi n i on essay: Does real fri endshi p mean
spendi ng ti me wi th peopl e face-to-face? Expl ai n.
r Exam Practice
Checking Spellcheckers
English spelling is very difficult. This is a problem that faces not only non-native speakers but many native spakers
as wel l.
Why is English spelling so problematic? Many English words are spelt differently from the way that they sound.
such as the word "laugh". There are also many homophones, which are words that sound the same but are spelt
differently, for example, "right" and "write". In addition, there are words which contain silent letters, for instance the
letter "k" in the word "know". For these reasons, the only way to improve your spelling in English is to memorise all
the words that are diffcult to spell.
Computer spellcheckers should have solved spelling problems. They detect misspelt words and, in certain cases,
even correct them automatically. However, spellcheckers are far from perfect. When they cannot automatically
correct a word, they give users a list of alterative words to choose from. This is helpful as long as users know
which word they are looking for, or if the intended word is on the list. In addition, computer spellcheckers will
only spot an error if the word doesn' t exist in their word banks. For instance, if you type "Eye did knot go the write
weigh", spellcheckers will not be able to detect any of the mistakes. Although all the words in this sentence are spelt
y, it makes no sense.
However, technology may now have found a way of solving these problems. A hi-tech company, Ginger Software,
has developed a program that doesn' t j ust spot mistyped words, but also uses context and grammatical structure to
correct mistakes. Its developers have tried to make its working processes as close to those of natural language as
possible. If it' s successful, Ginger Software' s new program should be able to fnd the errors in the sentence "Eye did
knot go the write weigh", and correct it to "I did not go the right way".
1 . Choose the correct answer.
1 . A homophone is a word . . . .
a. that is spel t the same as another word
b. that sounds di fferent from another word
c. that sounds the same as another word
2. A spel l checker . . . .
a. can automati cal l y correct al l mi stakes
b. wi l l i dentify spel l i ng mi stakes
c. hel ps you memori se di ffi cul t words
3. The new program i s uni que because it
a. detects words used out of context
b. automati cal l y corrects mi sspel t words
c. memori ses words that are di ffi cul t to spel l
2. Rewrite the sentences without changi ng thei r
ori gi nal meani ng.
1 . Computer spel l checkers shoul d have sol ved the
probl em.
The probl em
2. Spel l checkers wi l l only spot an error i f the word
doesn't exi st in thei r word banks.
Unl ess the word
3. Fi nd words or expressi ons i n the text that
mean:
1 . have got (paragraph 2)
2. detect (paragraph 3)
3. for exampl e (paragraph 3)
4. si mi l ar (paragraph 4)
4. Answer the questi on.
Why can' t regul ar spel l checkers al ways hel p peopl e
to spel l correctl y?
5. Wri te a compositi on of about 1 00- 1 50 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE option.
1 . An opi ni on essay: Do you thi nk i t's i mportant
to have Engl i sh spel l i ng tests? Expl ai n why or
why not.
2. An opi ni on essay: What aspect of l earni ng
Engl i sh i s t he most di ffi cu lt for you? Expl ai n.
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0
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101
1 02
- . .
Mickey Mouse Degrees
Students usually go to university to obtain a degree in physics, economics or history. But in Britain, it's now possible
to get a university degree in less traditional subjects, including equestrian studies, aromatherapy and the unusual
mixture of outdoor adventure with philosophy.
These degrees are known informally as "Mickey Mouse" degrees . Taken from the name of the cartoon character,
anything termed "Mickey Mouse" is considered lightweight or amateurish. In Britain, the term also has more
negative connotations, and may be used to describe something of inferior quality. But are these degrees, often ofered
at newly created universities, really inferior to degrees in more conventional subjects from more established
universities?
People in favour of these degrees say that society benefits from having a large number of university graduates in any
feld because studying promotes a love of learing and respect for education. They also claim that these new courses
require serious study. For example, surfng studies includes meteorology, biology and business.
In addition to the social benefits, there are also financial ones. University graduates generally ear more, which is
good for the economy. Proponents claim that these new degrees are responding to demands from students and
employers. Specific training enables graduates to find jobs easily and companies are confident that they will employ
people with the essential skills. For example, graduates with golf management degrees can work in the sports and
leisure industry.
However, opponents of these degrees claim that training in fields like foristry design or baking technology should be
acquired both on the job and at technical schools; universities exist to further knowledge rather than to help people
fnd jobs. They say that politicians want to increase the number of university graduates, and opening these "Mickey
Mouse" courses achieves this without maintaining high educational standards. They also argue that if these degrees
were abolished, more scholarship money would be available to those studying "real" university subjects.
So, are Mickey Mouse degrees a helpful innovation or a waste of time? Before we make up our minds, perhaps we
should remember that many academic subjects which are respected today were criticised when they frst appeared -
including English literature, when it was frst taught at an English uni versity in 1 828.
1. Decide if the fol lowi ng sentences are true (T)
or false (F). Fi nd evi dence i n the text to j ustify
your answers.
1 . A " Mi ckey Mouse " degree i s perceived as
i nferi or.
2. Mi ckey Mouse degrees don't gi ve students
any speci fi c ski l l s they need for j obs.
. . 3. Opponents of Mi ckey Mouse degrees thi nk
that baki ng ski l l s shoul dn' t be studi ed.
2. Complete the sentences usi ng the i nformati on
gi ven i n the text.
1 . Empl oyers are pl eased with graduates of
Mi ckey Mouse degrees because . . . .... . .
2 Pol i ti ci ans are in favour of Mi ckey Mouse
cou rses because
3. Answer the questi on.
Why does the wri ter menti on Engl i sh l i terature?
4. Fi nd words or expressi ons i n the text that
mean:
1 . combi nati on (paragraph 1 )
2 . not seri ous (paragraph 2)
3. area of study (paragraph 3)
4. i mportant (paragraph 4)
5. deci de (paragraph 6)
5. Write a composition of about 1 00-1 50 words
i n your notebook. Choose ONE option.
1 . An opi ni on essay: Is a Mi ckey Mouse degree
a waste of ti me? Expl ai n your answer.
2. An opi ni on essay: The pu rpose of studyi ng
at uni versi ty i s to get a j ob. Do you agree or
di sagree? Expl a i n.
r Exam Practi ce
More than Just Clothes
Imagine the following scene: a firefghter runs into a blazing building to save the people trapped inside. Back at the
command centre, his vital signs are being monitored and GPS readings indicate his exact positioning in the building.
This will soon be a reality because of a new, state-of-the-art uniform that contains hi-tech fabrics which can transmit
this vital information.
The European Commission has invested 50 million to develop these smart fabrics and interactive texti les.
The technology, which was initially developed in the United States, has been adopted by the EU i n order to save the
European textile industry, which has been badly afected by competition from Asian markets.
University researchers, hi-tech companies and textile manufacturers are working together throughout the EU to
produce models of smart-fabric items. These include a shirt that can check the heart rate of cardiac patients and
sports clothes that can monitor an athlete' s breathing with the use of microcomputers and solar panels.
One of the main problems at the moment, however, is the limited market for such products. Smart fabrics could be
most beneficial in the medical field, where they could save many lives each year. However, it could take up to ten
years for each product to become an approved medical device.
A further problem is the cost of these products. How much will a family be able and willing to pay for a baby suit
that can detect sudden infant death syndrome? This type of product could potentially prevent a terrible tragedy from
occuring, yet how many parents will actually be able to aford it?
Most of the developers' hopes for promoting hi-tech clothing are with the sports industry. The huge amount of
adverti sing by popular sportswear companies and the employment of well-known sports stars to advertise their
products means that this industry could easily persuade consumers to accept these expensive new technologies.
Developers, therefore, are considering adapting the smart-clothes technology for rescue workers to the world of
sport. Who knows? In another few years, your tracksuit might do a lot more than help you enjoy a run in the park.
1 . Choose the correct answer.
1 . I nsi de the command centre, . . . .
a. a fi refi ghter is savi ng peopl e
b. a fi refi ghter i s moni tori ng hi s vi tal si gns
c. i t's possi bl e to know where a fi refi ghter i s
l ocated i n a burni ng bui l di ng
2. A shi rt i s bei ng devel oped that can . . . .
a. hel p peopl e who have got heart probl ems
b. hel p peopl e run faster
c. moni tor breathi ng
2. Deci de i f the fol l owi ng sentences are true (T}
or false (F). Fi nd evi dence in the text to justify
your answers.
1 . Smart fabri cs were ori gi nal l y devel oped i n
the Uni ted States.
. . . ... 2. The wri ter questi ons whether hi gh-tech
baby suits wi l l actual ly save l i ves.
3. Answer the questi ons.
1 . What are the probl ems of smart-fabri c i tems?
2. Why do the devel opers of smart-fabri c i tems
thi nk that the sports i ndustry i s the best fi el d i n
whi ch to promote thei r products?
4. Find words or expressi ons i n the text that
mean:
1 . i mportant (paragraph 1 )
2 . at fi rst (paragraph 2)
3. hel pful (paragraph 4)
4. stop from happeni ng
(pa ragraph 5)
5. Write a composition of about 1 0
in your notebook. Choose 0 . E o .
^
1 . An opi ni on essay: :: ::_ -
famous peopl e a,e - - e- ~
products ? Expl ai n vhy or vhy no.
2. An opirt ssay: Do you b8ll8V8 thdt man tor 'Q
an athl ete wi th smart clothes technol ogy ts an
i nvasi on of pri vacy? Expl ai n your answer.
0
z
7
-
Nature's Way to Feeling Better
Do you feel better after going for a walk in the park or watching a beautiful sunset? If so, you may be unknowingly
using your own form of "ecotherapy", an approach designed to improve emotional health by reconnecting people
with nature and the environment.
The field of ecopsychology, which first became popular in the United States in the 1 990s, argues that humans are an
integral part of the world of nature and should not be separated from it. Their emotional health may sufer if they are
cut of from nature by urbanisation or other aspects of modem life. In addition, the guilt people feel from the human
destruction of nature may cause emotional distress.
From this movement grew ecotherapy, offering strategies to strengthen people's relationship with nature. These range
from the sophisticated to the simple. For example, learing to survive alone in the wilderness can build confidence,
but even a simple walk outdoors can also b effective. Some therapies involve animals: swimming with dolphins,
interacting with your pet or watching a tropical fish tank are all beneficial . Even lookng at a picture of an outdoor
scene can help, too.
One study in the United Kingdom was designed to measure the mood, self-esteem and enjoyment of 20 people
after taking two different walks, one inside a shopping centre and the other outside in a park. The results showed
that self-esteem increased significantly after the outdoor walk, while tension and depression decreased. In contrast,
many people felt worse after the walk in the shopping centre. One UK mental-health charity is now proposing that
ecotherapy be made more readily available for mental-health patients, as it already is in Holland and Norway.
So if you' re feeling a bit low, you may not need anti-depressants or costly therapy. First, try riding your bike
or walkng on the beach. These activities will certainly be good for your physical health, and may boost your
morale, too.
1 . Decide if the fol l owi ng sentences are true (T)
or false (F). Fi nd evi dence i n the text to justify
your answers.
1 . Ecotherapy can benefi t peopl e even i f they
are unaware that they are usi ng i t.
. . 2. Ecotherapy strategi es al ways i nvol ve
outdoor acti vi ti es.
3. A U K st udy found that a wal k th rough
a shoppi ng centre decreased depressi on.
2. Compl ete the sentences usi ng the i nformation
gi ven i n the text.
1 . In Norway and Hol l and
2. The wri ter bel i eves that i nstead of
3. Rewrite the sentences wi thout changi ng thei r
origi nal meani ng.
1 . Swi mmi ng wi th dol phi ns i s benefi ci al .
i t's benefi ci al
2. Learn i ng to survi ve al one i n the wi l derness can
bui l d confi dence .
Confi dence
4. Fi nd words or expressi ons in the text that
mean:
1 . make better (paragraph 1 )
2 . separated from (paragraph 2)
3. basi c (paragraph 3)
4. sad (paragraph 5)
5. expensive (paragraph 5)
5. Write a composi ti on of about 1 00- 1 50 words
i n your notebook. Choose ONE opti on.
1 . An opi ni on essay: Do you th i nk that
ecotherapy coul d hel p peopl e your age?
Why or why not?
2. An opi n i on essay: What's your i deal outdoor
acti vi ty? Expl ai n why.
Exam Practice
Guilt-Free Carbon
More and more people today understand that carbon emissions are a problem for the atmosphere. Many people are
genuinely concered about the environment and would like to reduce the amount of energy consumption they're
responsible for, but certain lifestyle changes, such as giving up fying and driving, are simply impractical.
In order to help these people to help the environment, some new companies now enable businesses and individuals
to "buy" the right to emit carbon. Essentially, consumers pay these companies to counter-balance their carbon use by
investing in projects that benefit the environment. These may include promoting renewable energy sources such as
solar power, or planting trees in poor countries to help absorb carbon from the air.
Although the basic principle seems logical, it has been criticised by some environmentalists on philosophical
grounds. Each household in the United States is said to be responsible for approximately six tons of harmful gas
emissions every year, and some experts believe these people should make the efort to reduce their energy
consumption. However, there's practical criticism as well. With little regulation, ifs hard to know if the companies
are actually doing as they promised. Another concer focuses on the possibility that the same ofset may be sold to
more than one customer.
The idea of cleaning up "carbon footprints'' ( i . e. , the impact of human activity on the environment in terms of carbon
use) is growing in popularity in the Wester world. One indication is the number of products and events that now
advertise themselves as "carbon-neutral" or "clean" because managers have paid to negate the impact of the gases
emitted. Another indication is the plan for a US airport to allow interested passengers to purchase ofsets for the
environmental damage caused by their flight.
It's still too early to judge if thi s trend is mainly a way to ease guilt caused by over-using energy, or a realistic way
of helping the planet. However, one thing is certain - we should all remember to do as much as we can to clean up
our carbon footprints.
1. Choose the correct answer.
I . Most peopl e in the devel oped worl d . . . .
a. are unaware that they can reduce
producti on of dangerous gases
b. usual l y fi nd i t easy to make changes such as
gi vi ng up fl yi ng
c. general l y want to try to reduce the amount
of carbon they emi t
2. The carbon offset i ndustry . . . .
a. has been establ i shed by a number of
busi nesses and i ndi vi dual s
b. al l ows consumers to compensate the
envi ronment for carbon use
c. essenti a l l y benefi ts energy consumers i n
devel opi ng countries
t. Fi nd words in the text that mean:
I not real i sti c (paragraph 1 )
2 . dangerous ( paragraph 3)
3. worry (paragraph 3)
4. buy ( paragraph 4)
5. reduce (paragraph 5)
J. Answer the question.
Why has the carbon offset i ndustry been cri ti ci sed?
4. Rewrite the sentences without changing their
original meaning.
1 The i dea has been cri ti ci sed by some
envi ronmental ists on phi l osophi cal grounds.
Some envi ron mental ists
2. I s thi s a real i sti c way of hel pi ng the pl anet?
I s thi s a real i sti c way to
5. Write a composition of about 1 00-150 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE option.
1 . An opi ni on essay: Shoul d energy consu mers be
requi red by l aw to offset thei r carbon emi ssi on
Gi ve reasons for your answer.
2. A formal l etter: Write a l etter to your l ocal
counci l in whi ch you compl ai n about
envi ronmental probl ems i n your town and what
you woul d l i ke to do about them.
IUb
IUb
- .
Tough Love
When Jane Hambleton bought a car for her son Steven, 19, she set two rules; no alcohol in the car, and keep the car
locked. But soon she placed this advertisement in the local newspaper: "Totally uncool parents who obviously don' t
love teenage son, selling hi s car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found
booze under front seat. $3, 700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."
While teenagers may agree that Jane was "mean", many adults approved of this public demonstration of "tough
love", a type of discipline where harsh measures are used to help people modify dangerous or unacceptable
behaviour. The term was first used by Phyllis and David York in 1 979 to describe their uncompromising attitude
towards their daughter when her bad behaviour culminated in an arrest for armed robbery. They didn' t allow her to
return home until she had completed a drug rehabilitation programme and found a j ob.
From this incident, the Tough Love movement was born. For just a nominal fee, parents are able to tap into
a support system and attend meetings, where they are encouraged to "take a stand" (set a long-term goal) and enforce
a "bottom line" (behaviour that will eventually lead to the realisation of the stand). Even parents who don' t formally
join this network often use some of its techniques, as do several programmes dealing with drug abuse and criminal
activity. But the method can be abused. Some summer camps in the US claiming to use tough love to discipline
troubled teenagers have seen tragic results. Because they often dismiss signs of physical illness as weakness or
manipulation, there have been disturbing incidents of neglect.
So, was Jane Hambleton right to sell her son' s car? She insists that she was, and that in placing her advertisement,
she has instantly raised awareness of two important issues - the drink-drving problems among teens, and the
importance of proper parental discipline.
1. Choose the correct answer.
1. J ane Hambl eton . . . .
a . left booze i n her son's car
b. was cal l ed the " meanest mom" by
teenagers
c. di sci pl i ned her son by showi ng tough l ove
2 Some camps in the Uni ted States . . . .
a . have abused tough l ove i n thei r summer
programs
b. won't use tough l ove i f teens are physi cal l y i l l
c. di smi ss tough l ove as a form of weakness
3 . J ane Hambl eton's adverti sement . . . .
a . establ i shed her r i ght to sel l her son's car
b. caused peopl e to thi nk about teenage
dri nk-dri vi ng
c. hasn't rai sed awareness of parental di sci pl i ne
2. Answer the question.
How di d the Tough Love movement get its name?
J. Complete the sentences using the information
given in the text.
I . Today, the use of tough l ove can be found . . . ..... .... +
2. Some i nci dents of negl ect
4. Find words in the text that mean:
I . nosy (paragraph 1 )
2. not ki nd (paragraph 2)
3. severe ( paragraph 2)
4. mi ni mal (paragraph 3)
5. j usti fi ed (paragraph 4)
b. i ncreased (paragraph 4)
5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE option.
1 . A for and against essay: Expl ai n the
advantages and di sadvantages of tough- l ove
tacti cs.
2. An opi nion essay: Do you thi nk J ane
Hambl eton was j usti fi ed i n pl aci ng the
adverti sement? Expl ai n why or why not.
7Z
"
Think Ecotourism
Tom was really excited - at least for a short time. Last night, his parents came home and announced that the family
was going on holiday to an island that is famous for its waves. Immediately, images of a luxurious hotel, with its
own private beach, came to Tom's mind. Sadly for him, this was not to be. Their accommodation was going to be in
a "homestay" - living together with a local family. Tom's parents explained to him that tourism consumes massive
amounts of energy and is a huge contributor to the destruction of our planet. For this reason, they will use transport
and services that use less energy, thereby reducing environmental damage. They assured him that this was the only
way to minimise their carbon footprint (the amount of carbon emissions each of us creates). Tom and his family are
going to be ecotourists.
Ecotourism means travelling to isolated areas where tourists can enjoy the scenery, wildlife and local culture, while
at the same time improving the lives of the local people and helping conserve the environment. Tourists stay in
environmentally-friendly accommodation or live with the locals in a homestay. There, they can choose to unwind
and take in the local sites or go out into the felds to help harvest the crops. In this way, both the tourists and the
locals exchange something more significant than just money.
Interestingly, ecotourism has now become so popular that it is not uncommon to see luxury ecotourism packages
adverti sed, promising all the luxuries of an expensive holiday with the added benefit of knowing that you are doing
your bit to save the planet. So, if you want to travel like Tom and his family, reduce your carbon footprint, and still
ensure that you are travelling both comfortably and responsibly, check out the destinations listed on the Interational
Ecotourism Society website. And if that doesn' t work for you, you can always ride your bike to the nearest national
park and simply pitch your tent there.
1. Choose the correct answer.
I . If you stay i n a " homestay" , you a lways . . . .
a. rel ax and take in the l ocal si tes
b. work in the fi el ds
c. stay i n the home of a l ocal fami l y
2 . The I nternati onal Ecotouri sm Soci ety website
has . . . .
a. a l i st of envi ronmental ly-fri endl y travel
desti nati ons
b. i nformati on about Tom and hi s fami l y
c. l uxury hol i day packages adverti sed
2. Decide if the following sentences are T (True)
or F (False). Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers.
I . Our pl anet is bei ng damaged by the touri st
i ndustry.
. . . . . . . . . 2 . Local peopl e benefi t from ecotouri sm .
. . . . . . . . . 3. Ecotouri sm means stayi ng in si mpl e
accommodati on.
J. Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
I . huge ( paragraph I ) .
2 . rel ax (paragraph 2) ..- . . . . .. . ...e....... ..........
3. unusual (paragraph 3)
4. exami ne (paragraph 3)
4. Complete the sentences using the information
given in the text.
1 . Tom must have been di sappoi nted when ..............
2. Carbon footpri nts are the result of ...............................
5. Write a composition of about 100-150 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE option .
I . An opinion essay: What is your i deal hol i day?
Gi ve reasons.
2. A for and agai nst essay: The advantages and
di sadvantages of an ecotouri sm hol i day .
Exam Practice
Where Have All the Grandparents Gone?
Afer their second freezing winter in Manchester, retired teacher Colin and his wife Angela made a life-changing
decision. They would say goodbye to the UK, their family and friends, and start a new life in the sun. Afer checking
out a few alteratives, a decision was made to move to a small village in the South of France. Colin explains, "Once
I' d retired, I found it really expensive being at home all day. My heating bills soared and I felt trapped in the gloomy
English climate."
Colin and Angela are two British pensioners, out of more than three million, who have chosen somewhere else in
Europe to live, mainly in Spain and the South of France. The rising cost of living and the bad climate in the UK are
the main reasons for their leaving. With the emergence of the European Union, all European pensioners could move
if they wanted to and still receive their pensions. However, it seems that this is a phenomenon typical of British
pensioners. Consequently, estate agents in Spain and France actively target them, selling them the dream of a "life in
the sun". There are some towns on the Costa del Sol in Spain where it is hard to find a Spanish speaker, and fish and
chip shops and golf courses are everywhere.
British retirees are generally received with enthusiasm since much of the local economy is dependent on the
newcomers' money. British pensioners, who are looking for an authentic French village or a livelier town under the
Spanish sun, can find one at a bargain price, while still receiving their British pensions. It seems that it is now up to
the British travel agents to target the grandchildren - "Holidays in France and Spain at unbelievable prices, with a
trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa thrown in, too! "
1 . Choose the correct answer.
1 . Col i n and Angel a deci ded to l eave the UK
because . . . .
a. Col i n wanted to teach in a smal l vi l l age i n
the South of France
b. l i fe in Engl and was too expensi ve and col d
c. they were reti red
2 . Th ree mi l l i on B ri ti sh pensi oners . . . .
a . l i ve in Spai n and the South of France
b. left the UK because of the bad cl i mate
c. l i ve el sewhere in Europe
z. Complete these sentences using the
information given in the text.
1 . Al l European pensi oners have the ri ght to .......... . . .
2 . As thi s is a Bri ti sh phenomenon, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . .. . . . . . .
J. Find words or expressions in the text that
mean the opposite of:
1 . decreased (paragraph 1 )
2 . bri ght ( paragraph 1 )
3 . di sappearance (paragraph 2)
4. Rewrite the sentence without changing its
original meaning.
The ri si ng cost of l i vi ng and the bad cl i mate a re
the reasons for thei r l eavi ng.
They left .......................................... ............................................................. .
5. Decide if the following sentences are T (True)
or F (False). Find evidence in the text to justify
your answers.
.. . . . . . . . 1 . Bri ti sh pensi oners recei ve thei r pensi ons
whi l e l i vi ng outsi de of Engl and.
......... 2. Housi ng i n Spai n and i n the South of France
is more affordabl e than in the UK.
.. . . . . . . . 3 . Bri ti sh travel agents are offeri ng hol i days
to Spai n wi th a free tri p to vi si t the
grandparents.
5. Write a composition of about 1 00-150 words
in your notebook. Choose ONE option.
I . A dial ogue: Wri te a di a l og ue between Col i n
and Jack, a recent Bri ti sh reti ree who i s pl anni ng
to move to the South of France.
2 . An interview: Wri te an i ntervi ew between an
estate agent and a Bri ti sh pensi oner who wants
to buy a house i n the Costa del Sol .
7J
=
: : ::
:. : .. . :
:: l
.
.
: : : .
101
The powers of the mnd
Paul McKenna has become, at the age of thirty, the most successfl hypnotist in the business. Besides
being an entertainer, his self-help hypnosis videos are best-sellers. He also has a healthy consultancy
business, advising people on stress control and telling advertisers how to harness the sub-conscious.
Some of those who criticise him say that his show, particularly when he has 100 people on the stage,
5 is too similar to the mass persuasion sessions of evangelical faith-healers for comfort. 'Faith-healers
terrif me,' McKenna says, but then concedes, 'In some ways we are not very diferent-they use a lot
of the same techniques that I do, except that I would queston the integrity of some of them.'
He explains that there is nothing sinister about the trance state. We all go into it involuntarily when
we watch T or day-dream, even when we are shopping. 'Haven't you seen people in the supermarket
10 standing stll with a tin of beans in one hand and a tin of peas in the other, unable to choose and in a
total cataleptic state?'
The only supernatural power that he taps into, he claims, is the human imagination. And he never
uses tricks, just simple scientfc techniques. 'Some people will assume that I have some power over
them. But I am always quick to say that I don't, that I only have the ability to elicit fom them the
15 power they have in themselves.'
A Read the text carefully and answer the following questions in your own
words. (2 marks)
1 What does Paul McKenna do?
2 How does McKenna relate the trance state to daily life situations?
B Decide if the sentences below are true or false. Justif your answers with
words from the text. (2 marks)
1 You don't need to go to a hypnosis show to go into a trance state.
2 Paul McKenna loves faith-healers' sessions.
3 McKenna says there is nothing mysterious about hypnotism.
4 McKenna claims to have power over people's minds.
C Find a word or phrase in the text similar in meaning to these definitions.
(1.5 marks)
1 things that are sold in very large numbers
2 honesty; trustworthiess
3 clever acts meant to deceive or cheat people
D Rewrite the following sentences starting with the words provided. (1.5 marks)
1 Besides being an entertainer, his self-help hypnosis videos are best-sellers.
Not only ...
2 McKenna said, 'In some ways we are not very different!
McKenna said that ...
3 He never uses tricks.
Tricks ...
E Answer at least one of the following. (3 marks)
1 Describe a real or imaginary hypnosis show. (80-100 words)
2 Write a summary of the text. (80 words)
102
Music feeds the word
For a moment in 1985, Ethiopia became the object of compassion on a scale the world has seldom
seen. Images of emaciated children provoked an unprecedented response. The famine almost became
fashionable: Live Ad's fnd-raising concerts featured Bob Dylan, MickJagger and Madonna, and the
pop anthem W A1e the Wrd, sung by a celebrity choir, became a gigantic hit.
5 No-one is singing about it but, a decade later, Ethiopia's chronic food shortages remain the most
severe in the world. Although aid has continued and the county has enjoyed relative peace since 1991,
its grain and livestock reserves have been depleted. Ethiopians subsist on half the caloric intake of the
average American, and experts say another severe drought would require a disaster response larger and
more costly than any yet mounted anywhere.
10 It is not hard to identif the two things Ethiopia must do to avoid such a catastophe: control
population growth and increase food producton. But at 55 million, the country's population is the
second biggest in Aica. It is growing at more than 3 per cent annually and only 4 per cent of women
use contracepton. Even if contracepton gained widespread acceptance in the near fture, the numbers
would not stop increasing until the middle of next century.
A Read the text and answer these questions in your own words. (2 marks)
1 Why was Live Aid started?
2 What must countries like Ethiopia do to prevent the death of more people in
the future?
B Decide if the sentences below are true or false. Justify your answers with
words from the text. (2 marks)
1 The money raised by Live Aid solved the famine problem for ever.
2 There have been no wars in Ethiopia for over five years.
3 Americans consume twice as many calories as Ethiopians.
4 The use of contraception is generally accepted in Ethiopia.
C Find a word or phrase in the tex similar in meaning to these definitions. (1.5 marks)
1 extreme lack of food for a very large number of people
2 help
3 keep alive on small amounts of food
D Rewrite the following sentences starting with the words provided. (1.5 marks)
1 Images of emaciated children provoked an unprecedented response.
A unprecedented ...
2 Although aid has continued, Ethiopia's grain and livestock reserves have been
depleted.
In spite of ...
3 Only 4 per cent of women use contraception.
Contraception ...
E Answer at least one of the following. (3 marks)
1 Write a letter to a famous pop star or group asking them if they would help you
raise money for a cause. (80-100 words)
2 'Pop stars only raise money for charity because they think it is fashionable:
Discuss. (80-100 words)
103