Английский язык

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. Ninety-⁠eight per cent of us in Britain have a TV set in our homes and, according to the experts, we rarely turn it off. In fact, the average viewer watches as much as 25 hours a week. Television informs, educates and entertains people. It also influences the way people look at the world and makes them change their views.

Speaker B. Primary school teachers are complaining of youngsters’ inability to concentrate and their need to be constantly entertained. Some students do their homework in front of the television set. Others rush through their homework so they can watch television. It would seem that too much TV is to blame.

Speaker C. Watching too much TV can lead to the ‘lodger’ syndrome. Some husbands come home, sit in front of the TV and simply don’t communicate with their families at all. Even when programmes contain nothing negative, it’s not really a good thing for so many families to spend whole evenings glued to the box.

Speaker D. However, there is another side to the picture. For the lonely, elderly or housebound, television can be a good thing, being a cheap and convenient form of entertainment and a ‘friendly face’ in the house. It can be an ideal way to relax, without necessarily turning you into a TV addict.

Speaker E. Television doesn’t just entertain, of course. There are times when it can be informative and can provide a source of good family conversation, e. g. TV programmes featuring various cultural, historical, political and artistic issues. For example, The National Geographic documentaries have recently become very popular.

Speaker F. Informative, useful, entertaining and relaxing  — and yes, banal and boring  — television is all of these. But if we’re not selective, surely we have only ourselves to blame. TV can be a part of family life, but when it becomes all of it, maybe that’s the time to reach for the ‘off’ switch.

Пояснение . A  — 4. Television informs, educates and entertains people. It also influences the way people look at the world and makes them change their views.
B  — 1. ...homework in front of the television set. Others rush through their homework...
C  — 5. Some husbands come home, sit in front of the TV and simply don’t communicate with their families at all.
D  — 7. However, there is another side to the picture. For the lonely, elderly or housebound, television can be a good thing, being a cheap and convenient form of entertainment and a ‘friendly face’ in the house
E  — 3. There are times when it can be informative and can provide a source of good family conversation, e. g. TV programmes featuring various cultural, historical, political and artistic.
F  — 6. ...but when it becomes all of it, maybe that’s the time to reach for the ‘off’ switch.

Ответ: 415736.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. I’ve got a part-⁠time job, which I do in the evening and at weekends. It’s quite a nice job really. I walk my neighbour’s dog. She had a car accident a couple of months ago and still can’t get about very well, so she can’t do it herself. I don’t earn a lot, but I don’t mind because I really love the dog and I enjoy the exercise, except when it’s raining!

Speaker B. I earn some extra money at the weekend by cleaning cars at the local garage. The garage owner is a friend of my dad. I clean the cars which he has for sale on the forecourt. He wants them to look as smart as possible so he can get the best price. The work isn’t very interesting, but it’s quite well-⁠⁠paid. I can usually earn up to thirty pounds, if I work hard  — I get paid for each car I clean.

Speaker C. I work in a fish and chip shop on Friday evening and all day Saturday. It’s a pretty terrible job really. It’s so hot and stuffy and my clothes smell of cooking oil even after they’ve been washed! However, the people who regularly come here to buy their favourite dish, are usually friendly and I can have a good laugh with them and talk to them. I think this is the main reason why I haven’t left the job.

Speaker D. I clean windows in my spare time. I started doing it about two years ago. First of all I did the houses near where I live. Most of the work I get is from people who see me cleaning. Luckily, at the present moment more and more people are calling me, asking if I could do their windows as well. I don’t have to advertise to get business. The good thing about the job is that you can do it whenever you feel like it. I like being my own boss.

Speaker E. I earn extra pocket money by babysitting. I do it most evenings for a neighbour. They have a two-⁠year-⁠old boy. He’s normally asleep when I arrive and he doesn’t often wake up during the evening. That’s great, because it means I can do my homework undisturbed. I don’t earn a lot about three or four pounds for an evening, but it’s not really like work. If my neighbour doesn’t come home until very late  — after midnight  — I earn a lot more then.

Speaker F. I have a gardening job. I work for an old lady near where I live. She has a really beautiful garden surrounded by a high wall. She’s too old now to do any work herself, but she loves to have the garden looking beautiful. I normally work there on Sundays. The biggest job is cutting the grass. Unfortunately she doesn’t have an electric mower, so it’s quite hard work and takes a long time. I like being in the fresh air and working as fast as I want.

Пояснение . A  — 5. It’s quite a nice job really.
B  — 4. The work isn’t very interesting, but it’s quite well-⁠paid.
C  — 2. However, the people who regularly come here to buy their favourite dish, are usually friendly and I can have a good laugh with them and talk to them. I think this is the main reason why I haven’t left the job.
D  — 3. Luckily, at the present moment more and more people are calling me...
E  — 1. That’s great, because it means I can do my homework undisturbed.
F  — 7. I like being in the fresh air and working as fast as I want.

Ответ: 542317.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. On my arrival in Tokyo, I spent a night in a traditional Japanese hotel. It was a terrible experience. My window opened onto the narrow dirty street, which lay between two buildings. The opposite building was so close that I could touch it. I looked out of the window and saw the sky, which was as grey as the building in front of me.

Speaker B. We stayed at the Bay Island hotel, which was a pleasure, as it faced the sea. The colour of the sea was blue, a colour that I had not seen in any of the beaches in India. It was calm and beautiful. I was happy about the fact that we were going to spend 10 days in such a beautiful place. All we had to do was sit in the open restaurant, look at the sea, enjoy the cool breeze and feel good.

Speaker C. During my trips I had to sleep in hotels, hostels, at Bed and Breakfasts and at friends’. Staying at your friends’ is the best thing to my mind, but if you don’t have any friends who are willing to give you a bed for the night, you should go to Bed and Breakfast. Those which I visited had nice rooms and very friendly hosts who were very proud of their home town.

Speaker D. We landed in Guatemala City at 10 p.m. I went through customs and hoped to see someone from the nearby hotel. I had booked my first night there. But nobody was meeting me. I didn’t know the way to the hotel, so I got general directions about how to get there from a policeman. It was about 200 meters from the airport. They had not received my booking, but luckily they found a room for me.

Speaker E. On my arrival in Japan one of my friends took me to a performance of Japanese classical dance and music. My attention was taken more by the evening audience than by what was going on the stage. It was very strange that there were almost no men at the concert. Later I found out that Japanese women, even if they are married, usually go out by themselves, or with their female friends. It is the norm here.

Speaker F. I can say that staying in hotels in Hong Kong as well as shopping costs a lot. However, visitors can have a wonderful time and they don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money. I always stay at a youth hostel, which is much cheaper than staying at a hotel. I have my meals either at a fast food restaurant or cook breakfast myself at the hostel. One of my favourite experiences in Hong Kong was taking a noisy tram back to the hostel from the horse races at night.

Пояснение . A  — 6. My window opened onto the narrow dirty street.
B  — 1. We stayed at the Bay Island hotel, which was a pleasure, as it faced the sea.
C  — 5. During my trips I had to sleep in hotels, hostels, at Bed and Breakfasts and at friends’. Staying at your friends’ is the best thing to my mind, but if...
D  — 3. Didn’t know the way to the hotel, so I got general directions about how to get there from a policeman. It was...
E  — 7. My attention was taken more by the evening audience than by what was going on the stage. It was very strange that there were almost no men at the concert.
F  — 4. However, visitors can have a wonderful time and they don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money.

Ответ: 615374.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. I am exhausted. I need a holiday. I have spent hours at a computer terminal  — sometimes late into the evenings, at weekends or on public holidays. I deserve a rest and I can afford to go anywhere for two or three weeks. But I am going to my home village and my childhood. My parents, family and many friends still live there. I am going to swim in the river with my friends again, go for picnics and drink homemade lemonade. I want to go fishing in the lake with my Dad and elder brothers, ride horses at the farm and sleep in the shade of the forest.

Speaker B. My trouble is that I want to go everywhere and see everything. Every opportunity that comes I’ll take it! I am still young but I don’t want to miss out on any chance. This year I decided to go to Egypt. Was it because I can get a good price for travel or that I want to see the Pyramids? Was it because I heard about the land of the Pharaohs, and the unique blend of North Africa, southern Europe and Middle East? No  — it is just that I have never been there before and now is my chance.

Speaker C. My Mum is French and as a result I am one of those people lucky enough to speak two languages without even trying. But until now I never had the chance to go and explore France properly. Of course we often visited Paris, but these were all visits to Mum’s family. But half of my ancestors came from this land! I want to breathe the air of my grand and great grand parents. I want to slip back into a world that I never knew but somehow believe is still a part of me.

Speaker D. A British Punk band in the 1970’s recorded a hit record called "Holidays in the Sun". Although I was a child then, I still think about the words "I want to see some history" and "I want to go over the Berlin Wall". It strikes me that holidays today are so trivial. We seldom try to learn about, let alone change, the world we live in. We follow "the herd" to beaches and roast in the sun. As for me, I am going to Botswana as a volunteer teacher. The package beach holiday is a symptom of a sick society.

Speaker E. I never took a holiday abroad. To be honest it is too expensive at the moment but really, it is not a priority either. My hobby is forest photography. Within 100 miles of home there is more forest than I can explore in a lifetime. My main speciality is birds. Getting a good clear shot can take two or three days of patient setting up. I have 11 decent "species shots" so far and I’ll be taking two weeks holiday this autumn to try and get a few more.

Speaker F. All my life I have been a skier  — both downhill and cross country. The trouble with a skiing holiday however is that all it takes is one small accident to ruin everything. This year I was in the French Alps. Everything was going really well until the second day of a two week trip. But as I returned to the chalet a complete beginner lost control and crashed into me on the driveway. A cleanly broken ankle was the result, followed by three days in a French hospital and the rest of the holiday watching my friends having fun.

Пояснение . A  — 6. My parents, family and many friends still live there.
B  — 4. No  — it is just that I have never been there before and now is my chance.
C  — 3. But until now I never had the chance to go and explore France properly.
D  — 1. We seldom try to learn about, let alone change, the world we live in.
E  — 5. My hobby is forest photography.
F  — 7. A cleanly broken ankle was the result, followed by three days in a French hospital and the rest of the holiday watching my friends having fun.

Ответ: 643157.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. I have 6 pen pals in 6 countries! We are not really "pen" pals, as such, since we communicate via an internet site. We "chat" regularly about all our news but we are now involved in writing a novel. Each of us in turn adds 200 fresh words for the next to follow on from. We have no idea how the story will finish but we are having lots of fun developing the story and believe we are creating a bestseller!

Speaker B. I write to film stars, pop singers, TV celebrities and even royalty! The letters are basically the same explaining that I collect letters as a hobby. Very often I don’t even have a correct address but a surprising number of my letters are delivered and some get a reply. Usually they are printed fan mail responses but very occasionally (1 in a 100) I get a real hand written reply. My most treasured is from J. K. Rowling.

Speaker C. After birthdays and Christmas, I always write thank you letters for any gifts I have received. What I didn’t realise was that every letter I sent to my Granny, since my very first attempts at making letters, had been marked and graded! My Granny is a retired English teacher. It turns out that every letter she gets she checks for bad grammar and spelling mistakes, marks them in red ink and gives them a grade!

Speaker D. I have a pen pal, Katya, who lives in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk. We go for old fashioned "snail mail" because somehow it is more exciting receiving a letter than an email. It is more personal holding and reading some pages over which my friend has worked so hard. And it is hard for her  — but she is determined to conquer English and her letters get more fluent and accurate every time.

Speaker E. I wrote to the Prime Minister because I feel that the government should be doing more to combat global warming. I got a reply (probably from a secretary rather than the PM) thanking me for my letter. It said that the government agreed with me and "well done" for taking an interest. But I felt politely ignored. Perhaps it was stupid to believe that the words of a 16 year old girl would ever be taken seriously.

Speaker F. I got a "goodbye" letter from my girl friend. She said that she was writing so she could choose exactly the right words. She wanted me to understand that she liked me as a friend but it wasn’t a good time for her with exams coming up. We should, she said, move on. But I thought she should have met me. I would have preferred to talk about it, agreed together and split up amicably.

Пояснение . A  — 7. I have 6 pen pals in 6 countries! We are not really "pen" pals, as such, since we communicate via an internet site...
B  — 6. Usually they are printed fan mail responses but very occasionally (1 in a 100) I get a real hand written reply
C  — 1. After birthdays and Christmas, I always write thank you letters for any gifts I have received.
D  — 3. And it is hard for her  — but she is determined to conquer English and her letters get more fluent and accurate every time.
E  — 5. But I felt politely ignored. Perhaps it was stupid to believe that the words of a 16 year old girl would ever be taken seriously.
F  — 2. I would have preferred to talk about it, agreed together and split up amicably.

Ответ: 761352.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. I am trying to read at least one novel a month. It’s part of my "intellectual" diet. The diet includes Music, TV and even Play Station but I try to keep a balance overall. There are times when I get seriously into a new writer and am distracted until I’ve read everything. On the other hand I can spend untold hours on Final Fantasy or some other game if it engages me. But as with a food diet, the odd chocolate binge won’t hurt you as long as in the long run you get a good balance.

Speaker B. I would like to say I love reading Dickens if it were true  — but I just can’t get down to it. I saw a TV version of David Copperfield and enjoyed it but it is the language in the books I find really difficult to cope with. All the sentences seem so long and complex. I suppose it’s just that Dickens belongs to a different age, when people spoke and maybe even thought differently. On the other hand Shakespeare’s language is difficult for me, but it doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of that amazing dramatist.

Speaker C. I was sat in that armchair that Granddad made. Somehow I felt myself slip back in time as I turned each page. I became conscious of my heart beating. Probably it was the room, the furniture, the decoration; but that book took me somewhere else. I even felt the temperature in the room drop and expected to see Peter Quint staring sightlessly from the garden window.

Speaker D. I never watch a film based on any book I have already read. Susie always does and yet she always seems to end up saying "not as good as the book". On the other hand it is quite useful to see films based on books that you ought to read but don’t want to. Shakespeare or Dickens on film is a great help. You get a red hot story without having to get lost for days in archaic language. On this, Susie and I are in complete agreement.

Speaker E. Some people say that conventional books have had their day. The technology has been surpassed. Like vinyl records and tape cassettes were to music  — the traditional book will be replaced by i-⁠phones, online delivery or through some other multi media platform. They say that one day we’ll no longer read words on paper stuffed between cardboard covers. But I am not so sure. On the beach or in bed, on the train or at home I like to curl up with a good old fashioned, comfortable, paper filled book!

Speaker F. Beck recycles all her books. It’s a nice habit. Where ever she is, when she reads the last page, there she "sets the book free". This means that she writes on the inside cover a message of invitation to whoever happens to pick the book up next. I happened to get one of hers last week. She wrote "this book is a love story. You’ll not be able to put it down until the very last word". And as usual she was spot on. I hardly got any work done last week finishing that damn story!

Пояснение . A  — 5. It’s part of my "intellectual" diet. The diet includes Music, TV and even Play Station but I try to keep a balance overall.
B  — 4. I saw a TV version of David Copperfield and enjoyed it but it is the language in the books I find really difficult to cope with...
C  — 1. Somehow I felt myself slip back in time as I turned each page.
D  — 3. I never watch a film based on any book I have already read. Susie always does and yet she always seems to end up saying "not as good as the book".
E  — 7. But I am not so sure. On the beach or in bed, on the train or at home I like to curl up with a good old fashioned, comfortable, paper filled book!
F  — 2. Beck recycles all her books.

Ответ: 541372.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. Every weekend I like to play football from September to June and tennis in the summer months. It is a big commitment, but it keeps me active and healthy and there is a great social scene linked to the friends I play with. We often go out Saturday nights to restaurants, clubs or the cinema. We don’t take it very seriously. Probably we’ll never win any big competitions but we are more interested in keeping fit and having fun.

Speaker B. I am probably going to be away this weekend. I like to just set off on a Friday night and see where I end up. I’ll drive for a few hours, stay in a guest house, and then set off again early next morning. I like not having an itinerary. I might go to Scotland or to Wales. I’ll just see where the car takes me. Two weekends ago I drove down to Cornwall and spent all of Sunday walking the coastal path in huge winds and rain. But I absolutely loved it.

Speaker C. For me, the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning is having a leisurely cooked breakfast in the golf course caffe I don’t play golf  — I just love the cafe which has brilliant views over the sea has brilliant views over the sea. For about five pounds you get toast, sausage, bacon, eggs and beans plus unlimited refills of tea or coffee. They even have newspapers there which you can take to your table and slowly read while munching your toast.

Speaker D. I have to work every other weekend but once a month I get a four day "weekend" to make up for it. I try to get all my house work, shopping and other jobs out of the way so I can treat these as mini holidays. Whenever I can, I go on walking holidays; either camping or staying at youth hostels. This year I’ve been to the Lake District, Snowdonia and even managed to complete the South Downs Way, 110 miles, in my four day breaks.

Speaker E. The weather’s been bad for the last three weekends, but the forecast is OK for next week and I should be able to get out. I thought I might play a bit of golf or if it’s really nice I’ll go fishing. A month ago we had beautiful weather and I was lucky enough to get invited sailing. Actually I don’t mind what I do as long as I can get outdoors. I’ll give Tom a call tonight. We have the same golf "handicap" so if he’s free it should be a good contest.

Speaker F. Sunday mornings I love to go to the boot sale at Brighton Marina. All sorts of things are for sale  — antiques, bric-⁠a-⁠brac, books, records, furniture: You name it  — and somebody will be selling it. But the reason I go is to see my friends. Some of them are stall holders and others of us just go there to see what’s on sale and chat. Last month however I managed to buy a rare antique silver broach for £10. I’ve since shown it to a jeweler who offered me £200 for it.

Пояснение . A  — 7. Probably we’ll never win any big competitions but we are more interested in keeping fit and having fun.
B  — 1. Two weekends ago I drove down to Cornwall and spent all of Sunday walking the costal path in huge winds and rain.
C  — 4. For me, the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning is having a leisurely cooked breakfast.
D  — 3. I have to work every other weekend but once a month I get a four day "weekend" to make up for it.
E  — 5. Actually I don’t mind what I do as long as I can get outdoors.
F  — 6. Some of them are stall holders and others of us just go there to see what’s on sale and chat...

Ответ: 714356.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. Why on earth do they want to check our uniforms in a final exam? There are enough stresses in taking an exam without having to worry about whether you are wearing a regulation shoe! But this really happened to my friend and five other kids, who were excluded from taking an exam because they were not in approved school uniform. Can you imagine? After five years learning and hours of revision and practice; you finally fail your exam and endanger your future simply because you are wearing the wrong kind of shoe!

Speaker B. Here I am at the school dance, wanting to ask Susan Turner for a dance  — and I look like a penguin! I had put a lot of thought into this. I really did want to look my best. I managed to borrow my brother’s Paul Smith jacket and jeans. But the most exciting thing was that I got Kurt Geiger shoes and a "super cool" Armani shirt  — in a charity shop for twenty five quid! I looked and felt great until the dance invitations arrived stating "black tie dress code only". I wonder if Susan fancies dancing with a flightless bird...

Speaker C. People can wear a set of clothes that are not identical but still be "in uniform". Bankers and stockbrokers, together with football fans and style conscious teenagers all wear a type of uniform. They can be strict about this. There are no jeans in the board room and you don’t wear a Chelsea shirt to a Manchester derby! Research has shown that uniformity is one issue but more important is being noticed and approved.

Speaker D. Technical security workers at this huge corporation belong to a privatefirm whose delivery vans, uniforms, bags and boxes are all the same horrible mix of orange and blue. The ingenious robbers discovered that this provided both a perfect disguise and a clever means of escape. They just walked into the security camera repair room and pretended to work for almost an hour  — nobody even spoke to them. Not even the genuine workers noticed that they had three additional "colleagues" and it was only the next day that the robbery was detected.

Speaker E. I am worried that they’ll notice and laugh. I’m trying to keep as far away from them as possible. I divide my time between the "chill out" area and the buffet. I’ll not chance the dance floor because everyone will notice. A cream taffeta wrap blouse, Italian Jersey dress and "fabulously edgy" strap thong shoes from Camilla Skovaard and  — unbelievably  — all of us scented with Jo Malone "Orange Blossom"! How on earth can three girls at one small party wear exactly the same thing?

Speaker F. Jimmy was a pirate and Becky was a queen. Cleopatra did an incredible tango with a policeman and I noticed a slow dance between Napoleon and a ballerina. I myself wore nice jeans, a new shirt and looked, I thought, pretty cool. But neither Cleopatra, the hospital nurse or the pilot would dance with me. I went home quickly and with a wide sombrero and poncho (holiday souvenirs) quickly transformed myself in to a Mexican bandit. I returned to the party within an hour. I can now tell you that Cleopatra taught me some crazy dance moves.

Пояснение . A  — 2. ...you finally fail your exam and endanger your future simply because you are wearing the wrong kind of shoe!
B  — 4. I looked and felt great until the dance invitations arrived stating "black tie dress code only".
C  — 3. People can wear a set of clothes that are not identical but still be "in uniform".
D  — 1. Not even the genuine workers noticed that they had three additional "colleagues" and it was only the next day that the robbery was detected.
E  — 5. I am worried that they’ll notice and laugh. I’m trying to keep as far away from them as possible.
F  — 7. ...I can now tell you that Cleopatra taught me some crazy dance moves.

Ответ: 243157.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. Can you imagine it  — the average American spends more than $ 100 on Valentine’s Day! And men spend almost twice as much on Valentine’s Day as women do! A survey I read shows that more than one-⁠third of men would prefer not receiving a gift. At the same time just less than 20 percent of women feel the same way. The reason for this is partly that the holiday seems just too expensive.

Speaker B. As far as I know on Valentine’s Day no one saves money on flowers. No wonder flowers may cost up to 30 percent more that day! Some people even buy and send flowers to themselves on Valentine’s Day. The most popular flower is still the rose followed by lilies and violets. The colours of flowers are very important as they speak about your feelings and emotions, but many people just don’t pay attention to that and buy whatever they find nice and suitable.

Speaker C. I was surprised to learn that Valentine cards have a very long history. Some scientists believe that the tradition was probably started by Charles, Duke of Orleans, because the oldest surviving Valentine dates back to him, to the year of 1415. It was a beautiful poem written by the Duke to his wife. However some historians trace the roots of the holiday back to the Roman times and their pagan celebrations or early medieval times.

Speaker D. Do you know, that one billion Valentine cards are sent each year worldwide, making it the second largest card-⁠sending holiday of the year behind Christmas? I’ve heard Hallmark, a big card producer, even employs research staff to analyze the sales pattern of previous Valentines. They analyze customer interviews and instore observations to find out which cards’ve been a sell-⁠out this or that year and which age group chooses which type of cards and which is the best poem on the card and so on.

Speaker E. BBC reports that India has spoken out against Valentine’s Day calling it "an attack on local culture for commercial purposes". So I guess they do take it seriously and there’re people not in favor of this holiday. The Catholic Church, for instance, struck St. Valentine’s Day from its official calendar in 1969. There even have been times when Valentine’s Day was close to being forbidden.

Speaker F. The University of Maryland has a team of academic experts educating the media about Valentine’s Day no matter what angle they wish to cover. There I’ve read that many people choose Valentine’s Day for getting married. Can you imagine? The list of celebrities who’ve done this includes Elton John and Meg Ryan. And quite a lot of famous people have been born on that day!

Пояснение . A  — 2. Can you imagine it  — the average American spends more than $ 100 on Valentine’s Day!
B  — 5. ...that day! Some people even buy and send flowers to themselves on Valentine’s Day.
C  — 1. I was surprised to learn that Valentine cards have a very long history.
D  — 3. Do you know, that one billion Valentine cards are sent each year worldwide, making it the second largest card-⁠sending holiday of the year behind Christmas...
E  — 4. BBC reports that India has spoken out against Valentine’s Day calling it "an attack on local culture for commercial purposes".
F  — 7. The University of Maryland has a team of academic experts educating the media about Valentine’s Day no matter what angle they wish to cover.

Ответ: 251347.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. (A boy aged about. 20) Everyone I talk to seems to eat rubbish. I can’t understand it. When I ask them if they learned about health and nutrition at school, they say they did. We are all students so we have plenty of time to cook. One of my friends eats fried chicken every day. When I tell him how unhealthy it is, he just smiles and says: ‘I know, but it’s delicious’!

Speaker В. (A woman aged about. 40) Why do people eat so badly in this country? I think it’s a lack of knowledge. I know schools try to teach their pupils about health but schoolchildren are too young to care and they forget these lessons later in life. There should be someone in Parliament who could organize cookery lessons for adults. Then we could tax fast food and use the taxes to pay for the lessons.

Speaker С. (A man aged about. 50) My parents ate very healthily and I enjoyed cooking when I was younger. I still do, and I love trying new recipes from countries that I’ve visited. So why do I eat fast food or frozen meals so often? I’m not poor and I can afford to buy high quality ingredients. The problem is that I’m a politician and I get home, exhausted at about 9pm. If I had to cook, I wouldn’t get to bed until about midnight.

Speaker D. (A girl about. 18) I’ve heard a lot of people complaining that supermarkets are forcing us to buy packaged food and that there are too may fast-⁠food restaurants. I’ve heard people blaming schools for not teaching cookery anymore but why? There are thousands of websites with cheap, healthy recipes from all over the world on them. It’s not difficult to change your diet. Just do it and don’t expect others to do everything for you.

Speaker Е. (A man aged about. 30) Jamie Oliver is right. We can’t blame poverty. We can’t blame politicians and we can’t blame a lack of time. I know Britain doesn’t have a long history of healthy food but we live in an Internet age now. We can get recipes from anywhere in the world. A lot of people in the world have a lot less to live on than even the poorest people in this country but they don’t eat badly. Let’s start looking to them for ideas.

Speaker F. (A woman aged about. 30) People say that poor people eat badly in this country. They say that, in other countries, people buy cheap vegetables and eat healthily. They ask why we don’t do the same. Well, I had great cookery lessons at school but I can’t afford to cook healthy meals. Why? Because fresh fruit and vegetables are very expensive here. Not only that but most of the recipes I know need a lot of cooking time which means higher gas and electric bills.

Пояснение . A  — 7. One of my friends eats fried chicken every day. When I tell him how unhealthy it is, he just smiles and says: ‘I know, but it’s delicious’!
B  — 4. There should be someone in Parliament who could organize cookery lessons for adults.
C  — 3. The problem is that I’m a politician and I get home, exhausted at about 9 pm. If I had to cook, I wouldn’t get to bed until about midnight.
D  — 1. It’s not difficult to change your diet. Just do it and don’t expect others to do everything for you.
E  — 5. We can get recipes from anywhere in the world. A lot of people in the world have a lot less to live on than even the poorest people in this country but they don’t eat badly.
F  — 2. I can’t afford to cook healthy meals. Why? Because fresh fruit and vegetables are very expensive here.

Ответ: 743152.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. I go to a keep fit class in a local gym. They have classes both in the mornings and in the afternoons so there is always something I can go to. I try to choose classes with Janine. Some of the other instructors get impatient when you don’t do the exercises properly but Janine doesn’t. I’ve got to know a few other women who go to her classes and we always go for a coffee and a chat afterwards.

Speaker B. I joined a martial arts club after seeing the movie, Karate Kid. There are twenty people in my group but I haven’t really got to know them yet. There’s no time for talking anyway. We work really hard. I thought we would just learn how to throw and fall but we spend half the lesson doing exercises. I’m already much stronger than I ever imagined I would be. I feel great!

Speaker C. I love swimming. It’s a great way to keep fit. It’s also cheaper than going to a gym. I’m not obsessed about being technically perfect so I don’t have lessons. I just go to enjoy myself. The only problem is that I’ve recently moved house. I work hard all week and there is always something to do in the house at weekends. I just can’t find a spare minute for anything else!

Speaker D. I love cycling and I used to dream of being an Olympic cycling champion. I joined a club and trained really hard. Now, though, I just enjoy cycling through the forest near my house. I always take my camera and some binoculars with me because I’m a keen bird watcher. That’s why I cycle alone. I love socializing but, on my bike, I need to be quiet so I don’t frighten the birds.

Speaker E.
I go Nordic walking every day. I used to go with my neighbour and we had a nice chat as we walked. She was never very keen, though, and she’s given up now. I love it. I can go whenever I like and the sticks weren’t expensive. I had a few lessons when I first bought them because you have to hold them correctly if you want to get the maximum benefit from them.

Speaker F. I started jogging a few months ago. I wanted to run 3km every day but I’m quite lazy and I often find excuses not to go, even though I could find the time if I really wanted to. My aim was to get fit enough to run the 10km charity race that is organised in our town in June but I don’t think I’ll be ready. Maybe if I had some friends to run with I would be more keen.

Пояснение . A  — 3. I’ve got to know a few other women who go to her classes and we always go for a coffee and a chat afterwards.
B  — 6. I’m already much stronger than I ever imagined I would be.
C  — 7. I just can’t find a spare minute for anything else!
D  — 2. I always take my camera and some binoculars with me because I’m a keen bird watcher.
E  — 1. I had a few lessons when I first bought them because you have to hold them correctly if you want to get the maximum benefit from them.
F  — 5. I wanted to run 3km every day but I’m quite lazy and I often find excuses not to go, even though I could find the time if I really wanted to.

Ответ: 367215.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. Our trip with this company started with manually dragging our boats round the first Beginner’s Luck rapids. Well, I fell onthe rocks while doing this and injured my elbow. This company has a strange viewon safety! Our guide, with 9 years of experience, did nothing to prevent our boat from being turned upside down, throwing all three of us into the water. So I am begging you: do yourself a favor  — please use another boating company!

Speaker B. This trip isn’t about being rowed down a river. You will paddle, feel pain and get bruises. You wear a helmet and life jacket for a reason. You needto be at a basic level of physical fitness; there is some climbing up and down rocks and on uneven ground, and it’s slippery. You need to paddle sitting in an awkward position. You have to be able to get up and down quickly. You haveto listen and respond to directions. If you really can do that, sign up!

Speaker C. At the end of the day, don’t be lazy. We’re all tired; we’re all sore and bruised, so what? Help take your boat up. Not doing that is considered rude. And please don’t be pessimistic, gloomy or unpleasant because it may annoy the people around you who are trying to hear the guides and havea fun day with family and friends. Kids can go too, but they need to be at least 90 pounds, or atleast twelve years old, and they need to be good swimmers and listeners.

Speaker D. I’ve gone with this company twice nowand I enjoyed it both times. There are several rafting companies out there but you won’t meet personnel as qualified as you meet here. These people are doing what they love. I would not take these trips without a guide as I’d kill myself. They get you down safely and allow you to have fun between the rapids! Food was good and every time wepassed another outfitter, it became evident we chose the best one!

Speaker E. There is a common assumption that life jackets keep yourhead above water at all times. WRONG  — they are constructed to be able to float in water, so in any case you will pop to the surface. But waves and river currents are strong enough to take you under water for brief periods. A good rafting company typically provides a course on how to breathe strategically in rapids, but most beginners usually forget all that in the panic of being in the water.

Speaker F. I almost got killed in a white water rafting trip. This is how it happened. I rafted a very fast river. The guy in front of me lost his footing, banged into me and we both fell in. Our boat panicked, so we were rescued by another one 10 minutes later. We were heavily injured and I was barely conscious. My life jacket did NOT protect me from going under the crashing pull of white water. Don’t listen to those who say that rafting is safe, it is dangerous!

Пояснение . A  — 2. This company has a strange view on safety. Our guide did nothing to prevent our boat from being turned upside down.
B  — 4. You need to be on a basic level of a phisical fitness.
C  — 7. Please, don't be pessimistic,gloomy or unpleased... kids can go too... have fun with your family and friends.
D  — 5. Personnel are qualified... people are doing what they love...
E  — 1. A good rafting company typically provides the course of how to breathe strategically in raftings, but most beginners usually forget all that in the panic of being under the water.
F  — 3. I was killed in the white water rafting tour... we were heavily injured...

Ответ: 247513.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. Learning Spanish let me be part of my best friend's family and have friends in college from South America whom I may not have met had I not had such an interest in learning Spanish. I like myself with these other people more than I like my American self (if that makes sense). I have known a lot of people who learned another language at the age of 19 and above who now speak their second language almost without an accent but speak their first language with an accent!

Speaker B. Learning a foreign language always gives you a chance to compare the foreign language and your mother tongue. In order to learn another language, you need to learn the different titles and functions of sentence parts. Learning these things can make you a better student and a more articulate person. Also, many of the root words used in foreign vocabulary will help you later on as you struggle to comprehend or analyze new words in your native language. For instance, studying Latin in high school taught me an incredible amount of English, because English has so many words that come from Latin. The same is with Greek.

Speaker C. I know this might not make sense at first but hear me out. I know it's not polite in some situations. But if you and some of your friends learn a foreign language, you'll be able to talk to each other without other people having a clue what you're saying. This works best if you choose a language few people study, such as Japanese. Avoid the Big Two (Spanish and French), because too many of us learned them in high school. And you never know who has a German, Finnish, Italian, or Greek grandmother!

Speaker D. Traveling is one of the great joys of life and also one of the most expensive. Why not get the most out of your experience? As a person who doesn’t know the native tongue you are completely excluded from the culture. The locals ignore you and all that’s left for you is sightseeing and taking cheesy photos. Knowing even a few phrases of the language will make a huge difference. You will meet many more people and find it much easier to get around. People are much more welcoming if you make an effort to speak their language. This can turn a frustrating experience into the trip of a lifetime.

Speaker E. A language is what makes us human. It is the medium we use to share our thoughts with the world. Could you imagine а thought without а language? A great language also has a wonderful musical quality. Learning a new language is like learning a new way to think and a new way to sing. I am often struck by new phrases that are profoundly meaningful and melodic. At those moments I feel grateful to be alive. Don’t sell yourself short by stubbornly ignoring every language but one.

Speaker F. Believe it or not, the majority of the world does not speak English. We are so isolated that we hardly realize this. The truth is new thoughts and ideas are happening everywhere and they are not being immediately translated. The world is getting smaller and we are coming into contact with more non-⁠English speakers all the time. Gain an advantage for yourself in business and personal relationships by being able to communicate with people in their language. This will set you apart and gain you immediate respect and credibility.

Пояснение . A  — 4. Learning Spanish let me be part of my best friend's family and have friends in college from South America whom I may not have met had I not had such an interest in learning Spanish.
B  — 2. Also, many of the root words used in foreign vocabulary will help you... analyze new words in your native language.
C  — 1. But if you and some of your friends learn a foreign language, you'll be able to talk to each other without other people having a clue what you're saying.
D  — 7. People are much more welcoming if you make an effort to speak their language.
E  — 5. Learning a new language is like learning a new way to think and a new way to sing.
F  — 6. Gain an advantage for yourself in business and personal relationships by being able to communicate with people in their language.

Ответ: 421756.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. If you want to get new cultural and social experiences, the easiest, the fastest and the safest way is to go to a foreign country to teach English. If you have a university degree, an international certificate in English, a couple thousand dollars and about 3 months, you can start your life in an exotic location. I’m going to do this and I know people who’ve done it and I know what I’m talking about. You never know what to expect in a foreign country, that’s true, but isn’t it challenging at the same time?

Speaker B. I was thinking about spending my gap year teaching English abroad but I had second thoughts about it. I was told that only experienced teachers can get a working visa, coverage for their cost-⁠of-⁠living and a decent job. After reading some interviews on what’s it like to teach English in immersion camps, I gave up on the idea completely. That’s not what I’m ready to put up with. My parents are happy about that.

Speaker C. English is my major but the rivalry is so tense in the trade market now that I’m thinking of going somewhere for a couple of years to gain more experience and improve my teaching skills. Taiwan seems a perfect choice as everything is included for an inexperienced teacher  — visas, accommodation and high salary. I’m worried about getting a social life there  — I speak only English and I wonder if I can find friends there apart from my future students.

Speaker D. My uncle, David Dune, is a teacher, writer and runner. He is an educator with over 17 years of experience of teaching English as second and as a foreign language. He has taught and presented in Korea, Canada, France, and Ukraine. He specializes in Web 2.0 and using technology in the classroom. That must be an exciting life and the only thing I can think about is following in his footsteps. I hope he’ll share some secrets of being a good English teacher abroad.

Speaker E. I don’t remember how that magazine caught my sight but recently I read an interview with Neil Mullen who is a veteran English teacher in Japan. He started as a regular teacher and now he owns a school there. He is looking for new language teachers and I’m planning to send my CV. His e-⁠mail address was included in the interview, not his personal address, of course. I just hope the e-⁠mail won’t go to his spam folder and he’ll choose me as his employee.

Speaker F People in my college are crazy about the idea of going to teach English somewhere in Thailand, China and what not. I listened to their heated discussions very attentively and understood it’s high risk. There are so many things to care about like visas, security, medication and cultural barriers. I’d better stay in the US to serve my country. In my view it’s more patriotic; besides, I’m not sure I can solve the problems connected with moving to another country.

Пояснение . Speaker A  — 6. If you want to get new cultural and social experiences, the easiest, the fastest and the safest way is to go to a foreign country to teach English. If you have a university degree, an international certificate in English, a couple thousand dollars and about 3 months, you can start your life in an exotic location. I’m going to do this and I know people who’ve done it and I know what I’m talking about. You never know what to expect in a foreign country, that’s true, but isn’t it challenging at the same time?
Speaker B  — 4. I was thinking about spending my gap year teaching English abroad but I had second thoughts about it. I was told that only experienced teachers can get a working visa, coverage for their cost-⁠of-⁠living and a decent job. After reading some interviews on what’s it like to teach English in immersion camps, I gave up on the idea completely. That’s not what I’m ready to put up with. My parents are happy about that.
Speaker C  — 3. English is my major but the rivalry is so tense in the trade market now that I’m thinking of going somewhere for a couple of years to gain more experience and improve my teaching skills. Taiwan seems a perfect choice as everything is included for an inexperienced teacher  — visas, accommodation and high salary. I’m worried about getting a social life there  — I speak only English and I wonder if I can find friends there apart from my future students.
Speaker D  — 2. My uncle, David Dune, is a teacher, writer and runner. He is an educator with over 17 years of experience of teaching English as second and as a foreign language. He has taught and presented in Korea, Canada, France, and Ukraine. He specializes in Web 2.0 and using technology in the classroom. That must be an exciting life and the only thing I can think about is following in his footsteps. I hope he’ll share some secrets of being a good English teacher abroad.
Speaker E  — 7. I don’t remember how that magazine caught my sight but recently I read an interview with Neil Mullen who is a veteran English teacher in Japan. He started as a regular teacher and now he owns a school there. He is looking for new language
teachers and I’m planning to send my CV. His e-⁠mail address was included in the interview, not his personal address, of course. I just hope the e-⁠mail won’t go to his spam folder and he’ll choose me as his employee.
Speaker F  — 1. People in my college are crazy about the idea of going to teach English somewhere in Thailand, China and what not. I listened to their heated discussions very attentively and understood it’s high risk. There are so many things to care about like visas, security, medication and cultural barriers. I’d better stay in the US to serve my country. In my view it’s more patriotic; besides, I’m not sure I can solve the problems connected with moving to another country.

Ответ: 643271.

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. The Calgary Stampede is held for 10 days in July. We call it 'The largest outdoor show on Earth'. Over one million visitors attend it every year! There's a rodeo, wagon racing, agricultural exhibitions and concerts. Come and see for yourself. And apart from having a great time, you will also support our social and educational programmes, as a percentage of all the money we spend at the Stampede  — from parking and admission to food and drinks  — goes there.

Speaker B. The Notting Hill carnival in London is a Caribbean festival. I went to see it with my mum when I was five. The only thing I remember though is that it was terribly crowded. No wonder. After all, it’s one of the biggest street festivals in the world. Stupidly, I wandered off but, due to the deafening music, I couldn’t hear Mum calling my name. I was carried away by the moving crowd and got lost. I was so terrified that I didn’t go back to the festival for years after that!

Speaker C. My first Glastonbury was in 1984. It was the coolest music festival of all, and cheap at only 13 pounds. Over the years, I saw all my favourite bands there live. Great bands they were, too. Quality music. Now the tickets are over 200 pounds and some of the performers are ... well, let's just say they're not my cup of tea. And the people who go there ... so-⁠called celebrities who want to be seen at some-⁠thing 'cool'. I stopped going years ago.

Speaker D. Several years ago I was in St Petersburg during the White Nights Festival. There was so much to see and do! Romantic strolls by the banks of the river and canals on warm summer nights, the streets full of happy faces. And such a wealth of events! Magnificent classical ballet and opera performances by the greatest artists, as well as a concert by the Rolling Stones! And, unbelievably, I watched a pretend naval battle with pirates in boats on the river Neva!

Speaker E. There's nothing like Up Helly Aa, I tell you, a fire festival in Scotland! There's a torch lit procession to show the Sun's return after the winter solstice. The torch bearers are all dressed as fierce Viking warriors with helmets, shields and axes. They make their way to the shore and there they set fire to a Viking boat. Why? I think it represents the burial ceremony of the great chieftains and their final jour-⁠ney to Valhalla.

Speaker F. You must visit New York in March during the St Patrick's Day Parade. I'm so glad I did. Wow! What a party! It's a huge Irish festival, and bigger than anything in Ire-⁠land. People wear green ‒ the traditional colour of Ireland ‒ even if they aren't Irish, and watch the parade on the street or on television. I bought a green hat and joined in! For lunch, I had a green bagel and a green coke!

Пояснение . A  — 3. And apart from having a great time, you will also support our social and educational programmes.
B  — 7. I was carried away by the moving crowd and got lost. I was so terrified that I didn’t go back to the festival for years after that!
C  — 1. My first Glastonbury was in 1984. It was the coolest music festival of all, and cheap at only 13 pounds. Now the tickets are over 200 pounds and some of the performers are... well, let's just say they're not my cup of tea.
D  — 6. There was so much to see and do!
E  — 2. There's nothing like Up Helly Aa, I tell you, a fire festival in Scotland! ... They make their way to the shore and there they set fire to a Viking boat. Why? I think it represents the burial ceremony of the great chieftains and their final jour-⁠ney to Valhalla.
F  — 4. ... It's a huge Irish festival... People wear green  — the traditional colour of Ireland  — even if they aren't Irish, and watch the parade on the street or on television. I bought a green hat and joined in! For lunch, I had a green bagel and a green coke!

Ответ: 371624.