🇬🇧 Английский язык

Расшифровка записи
Speaker A. The city bike system in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is very well developed. The bicycles have motors to help you go uphill, and you get them out of the locked stands by leaving a deposit. There are different ways to pay and the cost is low. I can't bike myself because I don’t have a good sense of balance but I saw lots of those bikes last summer when I visited Helsinki.

Speaker B. Glasgow's city bike system is terrible. Big, heavy London style bikes in a city built on a series of steep hills? We should have mountain bikes the same way they do in places with a similar geography (like in Norway). The bicycle lanes are terrible as well. The whole system was obviously designed by those who have never cycled in the city. The worst part is that the money has been spent now and we won't get it back.

Speaker C. In Hamburg the first half hour is free. Most journeys take maximum half an hour or less. You pay a nominal fee of €5 to register but this becomes credit for your first journey. Thus, the system is effectively free. If you do go over half an hour it's 6c or 8c a minute to a maximum of €12. The bikes are of excellent quality. They even have children’s bikes in different sizes if you are travelling with your parents which I often do!

Speaker D. In Sydney, Australia, the city bike system is a complete failure. Why? We have a corrupt state Liberal National Party government that fights a bike-⁠friendly progressive council at every turn. We also have a Murdoch Sydney tabloid called 'The Daily Telegraph' which demonises bicycle riders and bike infrastructure. God knows who they represent or who is paying them... extremely dumb big business? It’s basically bicycle rider’s hell.

Speaker E. I have a feeling some cities have city bike systems because it is cool, I mean cool hip cities have to have city bike systems, right? I believe Las Vegas started something where you can share your own bike. I am just not sure if the beach cruisers they are using are the best city bikes. And that’s exactly what they are using all over Las Vegas.

Speaker F. Even though I rarely use the service I have just renewed my Dublinbike subscription. The closest station is about a fifteen minute walk from my home, so expansion would be welcome. However, the expansion plans are being postponed by a lack of funding as sponsorship is not enough to cover the costs. Trams in the center of Dublin make cycling very unpleasant.

Пояснение . A  — 3. I can't bike myself... The city bike system in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is very well developed.
B  — 6. Big, heavy London style bikes in a city built on a series of steep hills? We should have mountain bikes the same way they do in places with a similar geography.
C  — 1. In Hamburg the first half hour is free. Most journeys take maximum half an hour
or less. Thus, the system is effectively free.
D  — 7. Corrupt government...fights a bike-⁠friendly council... demonises bicycle riders.
E  — 2. I'm not sure the beach cruisers they are using in Las Vegas are the best bikes.
F  — 5. I rarely use my bike but I renewed my Dublin bike subscription.

Ответ: 361725.

Расшифровка записи
Bill: Hi, Cindy, long time no see! How are you!
Cindy: It’s great to see you, Bill, but I think we met about three or four days ago. Did you miss me so much?
Bill: Of course I did! I got quite used to seeing you every day when we worked together on the farm.
Cindy: Frankly speaking, I miss that too. Of course getting up early was unpleasant and now I’m enjoying being able to sleep till lunchtime but apart from that I had a wonderful month working outdoors.
Bill: Well, getting up early was certainly not a problem for me.
Cindy: I know. It always seemed to be so unfair that I felt sleepy and you were fresh and smiling.
Bill: Come on, Cindy, it wasn’t your fault or mine either.
Cindy: Yeah, I know. So, we have got good money  — somewhat more than we expected, right?
Bill: Yes, they said we did a good job. What are you going to do with the money?
Cindy: Well, I was thinking of buying a new camera.
Bill: What’s wrong with the old one? You’ve had it for only a couple of years. It still functions, doesn’t it?
Cindy: It does, but Bill, you just don’t get it. My old camera is already outdated. I need a new one. You know I’m crazy about photography.
Bill: Okay, okay. Anything else you are planning on buying?
Cindy: You know my younger sister wants a new doll and my parents said no because they think it’s too expensive. But everybody in her class has these dolls and she wants one too so I think I’ll buy it. I just hope my parents won’t be mad at me about it.
Bill: They might express some disapproval but I guess deep in their hearts they’ll be grateful to you. Besides, you are such a kind sister.
Cindy: And you, Bill, how are you going to spend your money?
Bill: I think it will all go to my college fund.
Cindy: All of it? Incredible!
Bill: You know I’m feeling very focused on going to Dartmouth and it’s quite expensive. My parents promised to pay for my tuition only if I pay for part of it.
Cindy: I’m so proud of you, Bill. I hope you’ll get accepted to Dartmouth, you deserve it.
Bill: Thank you, Cindy. Anyway, don’t you think we should celebrate the end of our work? Why don’t we go to that new coffee house on Main Street and spend some quality time there?
Cindy: That’s an excellent idea. Are you free at the moment? We could go right now.
Bill: Yeah, no plans at all.
Cindy: Let’s go then.

Пояснение . A  — 2. Bill: Well, getting up early was certainly not a problem for me.
B  — 2. Cindy: Yeah, I know. So, we have got good money  — somewhat more than we expected, right?
C  — 3. No information.
D  — 1. Cindy: It does, but Bill, you just don’t get it. My old camera is already outdated. I need a new one. You know I’m crazy about photography.
E  — 1. Cindy: You know my younger sister wants a new doll and my parents said no because they think it’s too expensive. But everybody in her class has these dolls and she wants one too so I think I’ll buy it.
F  — 2. Bill: You know I’m feeling very focused on going to Dartmouth and it’s quite expensive. My parents promised to pay for my tuition only if I pay for part of it.
G  — 3. No information.

Ответ: 2231123.

Расшифровка записи
Interviewer: Hello, everyone, this is your favourite weekly program "Writers". Today we are happy to have here Vanessa Silver, a famous writer who has won numerous awards for her short fiction. Her novels are described as extraordinary, lyrical, moving, yet funny. Hello, Vanessa.
Vanessa: Good afternoon, thank you for inviting me.
Interviewer: I've always wondered to know how people understand they were born to write books. You see, writer is not a common profession. When did you first start writing?
Vanessa: I started writing when I was still a child. I produced a newspaper at the age of six. The first edition was written in blue crayon. I wrote dreadful poetry when I was in my teens. I've still got it and it makes me giggle. I didn't write much apart from comedy, skits and sketches until I started writing fiction properly in late 2002.
Interviewer: How did you go about starting your first novel?
Vanessa: I remember I was once shopping in Brighton during a thunderstorm. I dashed into a bookshop and I picked up a random book. I drove home, sat down with some tea in my wet trousers and I didn't get up again until I had finished it. 400 pages! I have to thank that man so much! That's when I turned from someone who had bought a book to someone who would become a writer. It pushed the switch, it unlocked the feeling of "I want to do this".
Interviewer: Apart from being a writer you are also a lecturer. How did you get into teaching?
Vanessa: I think I found a thing that I loved doing and I wanted to pass on the love of doing it. I'm a totally non-⁠academic tutor, I'm very craft-⁠based and I try to open up creativity in people, literally in every person.
Interviewer: Do you believe everybody has a story to tell?
Vanessa: I think that storytelling is almost innate in us. People sat round fires and caves in the stone age, telling each other stories. I don't think they would have just said "I went off and got a mammoth today". We have an ability to hang on to the important parts and drip-⁠feed people with the important bits. You don't give it up all upfront. You make them wanna know the next bit. Keep them involved by creating the character that draws them in and putting that character in a situation they can empathise with. Make the reader want to find out how they resolve this thing.
Interviewer: What is your advice for writers who are just starting?
Vanessa: Read as much as you can, not just the things you're told to read to parents, tutors and reviewers. Read anything, both good books and bad ones. Whatever genre you wanna work in, you've got to get a sense for when you're improving. Write as much as you can and at some point you will find that the words take on a shape and rhythm of their own. It's almost a physical thing to recognise what it feels like. That moment when you change from being a person in charge of the pen to someone not deliberately creating something. You'll find the point when the character takes off and does their own thing. You need to recognise that and not refuse to let the character do what they want. Don't use the character as the puppet, be a tool to the character, so you're following along behind them. Listen to your own instincts as a writer and then edit. That may mean cutting a huge amount of words or cutting down a story by a third. I think a lot of writers don't do enough, they leave it raw. There is no point in doing things by half.
Interviewer: Thank you, Vanessa, it has been very interesting talking to you.
Vanessa: Thank you.

Пояснение . ...famous writer (исключает вариант 3  — она не начинающая) who has won numerous awards (исключает вариант 1  — награда у нее уже не одна)...

Ответ: 2.

Расшифровка записи
Presenter: With us in the Studio today we have James Smith, a psychologist from the University of North Carolina. Good afternoon, James.
James Smith: Good afternoon. I am really glad to be taking part in this programme  — it is a great honour for me.
Presenter: Thank you. The topic we have for today is familiar to everybody  — this is our dreams. We all have dreams and are dreaming of our dreams coming true if I can put it that way! James knows exactly how to do it. Is that so, James?
James Smith: I think it is. One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the desire to have dreams and the ability to establish goals to live out those dreams. What makes it even more powerful is our ability not only to dream and pursue those dreams but the cognitive ability to actually lay out a plan and strategies to achieve those dreams. The question is how to do it.
Presenter: Can you define what are our dreams and goals?
James Smith: This is not what you already have or what you have done, but what you want. Have you ever taken time to think over your life values and decide what you really want? Have you ever truly reflected and listened quietly to your heart to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there. Everybody has them. They may live right on the surface or be hidden deeply if you are often told sarcastically they are not serious but they are still there.
Presenter: So how do we know what our dreams are?
James Smith: This is an interesting process and it relates primarily to the art of listening. This is not listening to others; it is listening to you. If we listen to others, we hear their plans and dreams and many of them will try to put their dreams and plans on us. If we listen to others, we can never be fulfilled. We will only chase elusive dreams. So we must listen to our own hearts.
Presenter: That seems easy and difficult at the same time. Do you know any practical steps on hearing from our hearts on what our dreams are?
James Smith: Firstly, take time to be quiet. This is something that we do not do enough in this busy world of ours. Schedule some dream time  — no other people, no cell phone or computer. Just you, a pad and a pencil and your thoughts! Think about what thrills you, what you would love to do either for fun or for a living. When you answer these questions, you will find yourself in the "dream zone". Only when we get to this point, we will experience what our dreams are.
Presenter: What should we do next?
James Smith: Secondly, write down all of your dreams as you have them. Do not think of any as too outlandish or foolish  — remember, you are dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and take careful record. Then, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most? Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action, not just dreaming.
Presenter: What if a person does not find time to do all of this?
James Smith: Here is the big picture: life is too short and when it comes to the end, you can reflect on it either with joy or regret. Those who dream, who set goals and act on them to live out their dreams are those who live lives of joy and have a sense of peace.
Presenter: What is your final piece of advice?
James Smith: Remember about the dreams and goals that are born out of your heart and mind. These are the goals that are unique to you and come from who you were created to be and gifted to become. Your specific goals are what you want to attain because they will make your life joyful!
Presenter: Thank you, James.
James Smith: My pleasure.

Пояснение . This is an interesting process and it relates primarily to the art of listening. This is not listening to others; it is listening to you.

Ответ: 1.

Расшифровка записи
Int: You probably have heard about Ian Fleming, who was the first to create the famous spy James Bond. Another writer, Raymond Benson, continued Fleming's book series about Bond. Now Raymond has retired from writing Bond books, but is willing to share his experience. So, Raymond, when did you first start reading Ian Fleming’s novels about James Bond?
Raymond Benson: I first saw one of the James Bond movies, "Goldfinger", in the cinema when I was 9 years old and I was blown away. I immediately started reading whatever Bond books I could get my hands on. By the time I was 11 I had read them all even though I was too young at the time to fully comprehend them. I re-⁠read them again around the time I was in high school, and that’s when I figured out what was so good about these books and I’ve re-⁠read them several times since.
Int: You’ve been involved in the Bond fan community for a long time. How has it changed over the years?
RB: The Internet has changed it in many ways. Back in the 70s and 80s, there wasn’t a whole lot that could bring fans together and that’s the thing the Internet has done for them. In the past there were only fan clubs that published Bond magazines and some of the bigger cities held conventions where fans could meet each other more or less frequently. Now that the fans have the Internet they have created millions of Bond websites.
Int: Are you still a Bond fan?
RB: Of course! But it’s different now. I will still see the films as they come out and probably read the books if and when they are published. But the days of me writing articles about Bond are gone. I like to think I’ve moved on. There are plenty of other things that keep me engaged. I’m a huge fan of many different things, from various types of music and films to other authors and genres.
Int: Do you think Ian himself would have found the popularity of the series unexpected? *
RB: Yes. He didn’t think they would last so long. Unfortunately, he only saw the first two films and never got to enjoy the huge success that Bond brought others. As he once said, ‘It’s all been such a joke.’ However, I don’t think he would have appreciated the way James Bond is portrayed now, the way they’ve made him more politically correct, a ‘nicer’ guy, so to speak.
Int: Although the era of the cold war is over and spies are slowly becoming a thing of the past, do you think the public will ever lose an interest in James Bond?
RB: They don’t show any sign of doing so. The same can be said concerning fiction and movies about spies in general. You see, spies are not necessarily linked to the cold war  — we had spies in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and we have spies today. Spies will never be a thing of the past. There will always be something for Bond to do.
Int: How does it feel not to be writing Bond now? What have you been doing with yourself in the past two years?
RB: Well, for seven years the job gave me the opportunity to travel the world, meet lots of people, and get my name into the publishing world. The income wasn’t what people sometimes think it was. You’d be surprised how many people automatically assume I was making millions of dollars. But I made the same amount of money as I would have made at an office job. Now that it’s over, I have to find ways to supplement the writing income. There are days when I miss the job, but overall I’m relieved not to have that Bond thing hanging over me.
Int: Do you have any advice for the next writer, whoever it may be?
RB: Make sure you’ve got a thick skin and stay away from Bond websites! Don’t get me wrong, the fans are very valuable to the Bond industry and I say God bless them all  — even the ones that didn’t like my work. I certainly didn’t expect everyone to. One must understand that it’s a much tougher job than it seems. The pressure to produce on a timely basis is immense. It’s a balancing act between pleasing the publishers, the readers and pleasing oneself.

Пояснение . I’m a huge fan of many different things, from various types of music and films to other authors and genres.

Ответ: 3.

Расшифровка записи
Today I bought "The Ecological Calendar" that has peculiar formatting on its title. The calendar is apparently available in a few different formats. The one I’ve bought is a weekly planner for 2007, although it starts at the Winter Solstice, so it includes part of December too. It’s partly in the standard Gregorian format, so I don’t have to worry about making mistakes in it that take away from its usefulness. In 1997, I had a weekly planner where the week started with Monday instead of Sunday, as it does in some countries, and that little change caused a lot of havoc in any kind of scheduling that I tried to do.
However, it pairs the usual Gregorian calendar with a lot of information about the astronomical and seasonal changes that are happening at that time of year, so that you get the feeling of being connected to the grand cycles of nature. What the plants and animals are doing, when you can look for meteor showers, that sort of thing; it’s quite detailed.
This calendar concept is the one that is dear to me. It’s part of what I was trying to accomplish when I was working on my own calendar project called "The Book of Days", which was supposed to give a sense of the passage of time so that each part of the year is meaningful. It would describe the patterns common among all cultures such as the psychological need for relief from the darkest part of winter, and most cultures say that the veil between our world and the other world is thinner at a certain time of the year, even though they don’t all agree on when that is. It would tell about the cycles in nature such as seasons, and any light-⁠hearted contemporary events such as Rabbit Hole Day. It didn’t just list events, it drew connections between them so that you can get a feel for the significance of the current time.
However, "The Book of Days" was a very time-⁠consuming thing to try and work on every day. I’d hoped that it would become a voluntary group project and thus would lessen the load of each contributing individual, but other people seemed to lack interest. I managed it for several months, but it was too much for one person to manage alone. Eventually I had to let them go off it for more important projects. I still want to see something like "The Book of Days". That’s why I’m so glad to see that someone else has executed a similar project, "The Ecological Calendar".
I also like the idea of redefining the scope of time that we humans perceive that I have found in "The Clock of The Long Now", a book I’m in the middle of reading and which has already made a huge impression on me. That book argues that we need to expand our concept of time which looks not only at the present, back into the past and into the future at least a century each, but which also encourages us to learn from the past as well as consider our impact on future generations.
So for 2007, I’ll be completely redefining my perception of time to make it more meaningful, although that’s something I’ve been working on for a while now, since calendars fascinate me.

Пояснение . I managed it for several months, but it was too much for one person to manage alone.

Ответ: 2.

Расшифровка записи
Presenter: Hello! In this program we continue our series on the problems of Physical Education in modern schools. Our guest today is Mr. Flint, a skateboarding teacher who believes that skateboarding should be on the school curriculum. Good morning, Mr. Flint! Why do you think skateboarding should be taught at school?
Mr. Flint: Good morning! Well, first of all, we all know that skateboarders are physically fit, have strong muscles, strong bones, and unquestionable balance. When you skate, there isn’t a single muscle in your body that isn’t actively working. In addition to these purely physical advantages, look at the abstract benefits. We learn how to persevere; we have mutual respect for ourselves and other skaters. We have a huge social network, we spend hours outdoors and we are creative people who push our own limits to the max. We say, ‘Have you ever seen a lazy, obese skateboarder?’
Presenter: Well, listening to you, it does sound like it’s the perfect sport for developing both your body and your character. Yet, often people believe that skateboarding is a troublesome and meaningless activity, and there are many public places  — including schools  — where you can see signs saying ‘No skateboarding allowed!’
Mr. Flint: It’s true that people often don’t understand skateboarding as a sport. It is sometimes associated with gangs of angry youths hanging around town centers at night and therefore seen as an "underground" sport. It is a shame as there are some brilliant role models out there. In fact, speaking of bad behavior, get skateboards in schools and you will take the aggression out of the classroom and into the adrenaline rush of tricks! We need schools to consider skateboarding as a viable PE option. After all, the International Olympic Committee has approved Skateboarding as a new sport which will be part of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
Presenter: Speaking of tricks, aren’t those dangerous? When I personally watch skateboarders going up and down the slopes and doing summersaults it takes my breath away.
Mr. Flint: Well, first of all, skateboarding teaches you responsibility, and as many skateboarders wear helmets, wrist guards and protection for knees and elbows, bad injuries are fortunately rare. Secondly, it doesn’t have to be advanced tricks right from the start. It usually takes months before you can consider doing any tricks at all. And finally, making it a class means teaching how to do it safely.
Presenter: Wouldn’t making it a class also mean that it would be less attractive and even boring?
Mr. Flint: I don’t think so. Skateboarding is always fun. Find me a town, city or village where kids don’t skateboard and I’ll be amazed. Besides, it’s good for anyone. Girls and boys can compete equally. It is also good for those who are not natural athletes or enjoy competitive contact sports. Every student can participate alone or in teams. It is especially helpful for energetic hyperactive kids who cannot concentrate  — have them skateboard between the classes and the problem is solved! We should embrace the subculture of skateboarding rather than push it away.
Presenter: What will it mean for schools financially, though? Isn’t the equipment expensive?
Mr. Flint: I have to admit that one of the main drawbacks to introducing a skateboarding program to a school is the cost. Skateboards can differ in price, depending on what they are made of  — wood, fiberglass, aluminum or mixed metals. Safety equipment can also be costly. But think about the results  — and you will see that it’s worth it! In fact, there are already a number of schools both in the US and around the world which have found money in their budgets to implement a skateboarding curriculum of some kind and believe me  — they don’t regret it!

Пояснение . Нет упоминания инвалидов (handicapped).

Ответ: 2.

Расшифровка записи
Interviewer: Our guest today is Chris Nash, who is widely recognised as one of the most creative photographers in his field. He has held over 40 exhibitions of his dance photographs worldwide and has worked with world renowned dance companies and choreographers, and my first question is: what inspired you to become a photographer?
Chris: I kind of came at it from an odd angle. I was studying fine art at college and as part of the course we spent a week in the darkroom. I found it a bit like magic watching the pictures develop. At the time, I was making a lot of big pieces of sculpture and because I didn't have anywhere to store them, I would have to take photographs of them and then destroy the sculptures. This was a bit heartbreaking, really, so I took real pride in the images and gradually began to develop a greater interest in photography.
Interviewer: Did you have any formal training?
Chris: Not really. I spent more and more time in the darkroom. The tutors were the artists making work that was photographic based. The darkroom technician at the college was great. He was a professional photographer and introduced me to John, the photographer I assisted when I left college. I wanted to do things and John would tell me what I would need, what equipment, what books to read. I kind of taught myself, but he was there to help with any questions I had. The best way of learning is doing.
Interviewer: You just said you worked as an assistant. Is this a good way into that career?
Chris: Yes, absolutely! In fact, I think it is the best way. When you see a photographer working on the job, you come to realise, get a clear idea of what photography is about. You have to deal with a lot of talented people: models, performers, makeup artists, etc. All of them have their particular habits and eccentricities. You need to be able to draw the best out of them and to be really patient. Ideally, when you are at college, you are taught all the basic techniques, but when you come out there is a whole lot of other stuff to learn.
Interviewer: What was your first camera or the first photo you took?
Chris: A really cheap plastic camera. I had that when I was twelve, and then I bought a single lens camera when I got to college. Then I went back to a plastic camera. I saw this exhibition where a photographer had to use a really cheap camera called a Diana. It had a cheap plastic lens on it, which made everything go fuzzy and dreamy. I wanted to get the same effect, so I went to a lot of markets to try and pick up a second-⁠hand camera. I had two which I would carry around with me.
Interviewer: When did you become interested in dance?
Chris: It was while I was studying in London. At that time the dance centre was at a college, so I met a lot of dance students and saw a bit of contemporary dance. I thought this would make a great subject for photography, so I encouraged one of the dance students to go into the studio and let me take some photographs. I was fascinated by the results and sent the pictures into a competition and I won. I won 50 pounds worth of photographic materials. That got the ball rolling. This was about 1979.
Interviewer: Do you go to dance performances of the people you photograph?Chris: Yes, but not very often. The way I work is a bit back to front. When I take pictures, it's usually way in advance of the actual piece being created. Working with the dancers, I can only imagine what the future performance will be like, and it is interesting to find out if the work I have done corresponds to the real play. So, sometimes I will go and see the premiere. It is important for me to see if the photographs make any sense and if the piece is how it was originally described to me.
Interviewer: What do you enjoy most about your career?
Chris: With the exhibitions I've done, I've got to do lot's of travelling. I've got trips abroad on shoots, which can be a great thing. Also, I have really enjoyed working with dancers and working with creative people. Dancers always have a lot of energy and are always active. When you ask them to do things, all those little directions, they have absolutely no objections. When you work with other people, who don't have the physical training, it can be difficult to work in the same way. I love going to see dance performances, but it's different when you work with dancers. It's right there with you and it's really exciting, that's what I love.

Пояснение . And it is interesting to find out if the work I have done corresponds to the real play. So, sometimes I will go and see the premiere.

Ответ: 3.

Расшифровка записи
Presenter: This is Brave Decisions. Hello and welcome! In our studio today is Patricia Davison, a 26-⁠year-⁠old artist, who has just bought a house in terrible condition in the middle of nowhere. Good morning, Patricia! Thank you for joining us today!
Patricia: Good morning! Thank you for inviting me.
Presenter: So, why did you do it? Have you already started regretting it?
Patricia: Not in the least! In fact, I’m still extremely excited and pleased.
Presenter: You will have to explain this.
Patricia: Ok. It has always been a tradition in North America for young people to become independent right after school graduation. Of course, in college students are still more often than not supported by their parents. But as soon as they graduate and get a real job, they should be able to live on their own, and that’s how it’s always been, but not anymore. Everybody knows how high the price of accommodation has become in the last twenty years or so. It is very expensive both to rent or to buy your own place. Especially if you live in a major city like New York, Los-⁠Angeles, or Toronto or Montreal  — if you are a Canadian like me. Even if you manage to get a job in a big corporation, your entry-⁠level salary doesn’t cover the rent. So you either need roommates or you have to stay in your parents’ home, which, as I’ve already mentioned, is not traditional, but happens more and more often these days.
Presenter: So, you decided to find a solution to this problem.
Patricia: Absolutely. Well, to be honest, it was not a planned decision. I remember I was once quite frustrated thinking about the high rent I was paying and wondering whether I would ever be able to buy my own home. I was looking at the map of Canada on one of the real estate sites and losing all hope. The smallest houses in British Columbia where I lived cost 300 thousand dollars. But then an idea struck me. I’m an artist and I work from home. I don’t have to live in or anywhere near a big city. So I started looking at some far-⁠away places. I didn’t really want to live in the far north, but equally unpopular places like Nova Scotia seemed like an interesting possibility. And I was shocked at how cheap houses were there! The house I’ve finally chosen is huge! And it cost me only 65 thousand dollars. I even had enough of my own money for the down payment! I didn’t have to borrow money from my parents. It’s just a 10-⁠year mortgage. I couldn’t believe my luck!
Presenter: But you are forgetting the state it is in!
Patricia: It is true that it requires a lot of work. After all, the house is 150 years old! But I’m not afraid of it! I’m an artist. In fact, while at university, I once took a course of both interior and architectural design and have never had the chance to use that knowledge. I think the time has come to do it.
Presenter: Are you planning to hire professionals for the more difficult areas?
Patricia: I think I will have to. Even though I know how to fix electricity, I wouldn’t want to do it completely on my own. And I’ve already had professional plumbers fix all my water pipes and bathrooms. As for everything else, though, I think I will manage with a little help from my brother and friends.
Presenter: Have you already started?
Patricia: Oh, yes! I’m not losing any time. I’ve already finished my bedroom and study. They look beautiful! I’ve also started a you-⁠tube channel where I’m sharing my experience. It’s got quite a following! It makes me happy that my experience can inspire other young people to get their own homes.
Presenter: Well, good luck with your big project, Patricia!
Patricia: Thank you!

Пояснение . Presenter: So, why did you do it? Have you already started regretting it?
Presenter: But you are forgetting the state it is in!

Ответ: 2.

A  — 6. These sayings remind us of fire’s destructive potential and the need to respect its power.
B  — 4. On the brighter side, this catastrophic event helped end the plague  — a deadly infectious disease that had killed many people.
C  — 1. It is widely believed that, as Napoleon's troops approached, Muscovites set fire to their own homes to deny the enemy resources.
D  — 8. This hypothesis highlights the vital role of city fire services in protecting communities from such disasters.
E  — 7. The event drew global attention, with people from all over the world donating money towards the restoration efforts. Today, the ongoing work to restore Notre Dame symbolizes hope and the resilience of cultural heritage.
F  — 2. The fire raised concerns about safety measures in restoration projects.
G  — 5. As a young child, he experienced a fire firsthand and never forgot the terrifying feeling of having to flee his home.

Ответ: 6418725.

A  — 3. To many, the Old Post Office Pavilion serves as a landmark reminder of wonderful experiences.
B  — 4. If you are in the area, be a part of it all by visiting us  — or by joining our e-⁠community.
C  — 5. Originally built in 1899, the Old Post Office Pavilion embodied the modern spirit that was sweeping the country.
D  — 2. And, thanks to forward  — thinking people, you can now stroll through the Old Post Office Pavilion and experience both its glamorous past and fun-⁠filled present with international food, eclectic shopping and musical events.
E  — 6. The Old Post Office Clock Tower also proudly houses the official United States Bells of Congress, a gift from England celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War.
F  — 7. It is a great opportunityto learn more about American history, this is a landmark not to be missed no matter your age.

Ответ: 345267.

However, when I moved from Amsterdam to study at the University of Stirling, I began to realise that a few minor issues were catching me off balance.

Ответ: 2.

And, sure, the thought was extremely exciting to me as well, but how would I survive without my family and friends and the things that had taken me eighteen years to get used to?

Ответ: 3.

Cons have been listed as... and teachers needing to teach separate lessons to different class members during the same period.

Ответ: 2.

Para 5: World War II destroyed more books and libraries than any other event in human history. During the twelve years the Nazis were in power they burned over one hundred million books.

Ответ: 4.

There were common rooms and detentions which I suppose all schools still have. But few schools, like Kimbolton, have narrow, long corridors lined with portraits whose eyes seem to follow you round...

Ответ: 2.

Although I share concern that not going to Oxbridge gives you a "chip on your shoulder", I did not write to Oxford to avoid the risk of being labeled as an "Oxbridge reject": I already am one.

Правильный ответ указан под номером 1.

Rival  — соперник. Самый близкий синоним  — competitor.

Ответ: 2.

Речь идет о факте в настоящем времени, значит, требуется Present simple. Также по смыслу требуется пассивный залог.

Ответ: ISSPOKEN.

Including используется здесь как герундий, обозначающий перечисление примеров из более широкой категории (в данном случае, зданий и сооружений).

Ответ: including.

"...Успешно пересекла Атлантический океан, доказав, что..."  — having+V-⁠ed (proved).

Ответ: havingproved.

Замерзших рек (причастие)  — V3.

Ответ: frozen.

Артикль указывает на то, что прилагательное должно быть в превосходной степени  — the greatest.

Ответ: greatest.

Первый (в другой классификации  — нулевой) тип условных предложений предполагает форму Present Simple, а смысл предложения указывает на отрицательную форму.

Ответ: doesnotbreak.

На месте пропуска по смыслу должно быть наречие, которое можно образовать от прилагательного "immediate" с помощью суффикса -ly.

Ответ: immediately.

По структуре предложения на месте пропуска должно быть наречие (вводное слово), которое можно образовать от прилагательного "foutunate" с помощью суффикса -⁠ly.

Ответ: fortunately.

"...Самых последних научных достижений"  — требуется прилагательное.

Ответ: scientific.

По смыслу требуется наречие. образуется при помощи суффикса -⁠ly.

Ответ: probably.

По смыслу требуется существительное во множественном числе (русские), -⁠ns.

Ответ: Russians.

Сделали нашим штабом (прибежищем)  — "made".

Правильный ответ указан под номером 4.

Из контекста мы видим, что нужно использовать слово со значением "вместо" (instead/rather), кроме того, instead требует предлога of. Получаем instead of. Такой вариант есть. Слово rather требует предлога than. Варианта rather than нет, поэтому методом исключения выбираем instead of.

Ответ: 2.

A "lighter-⁠than-⁠air" gas often contained in a balloon  — газ "легче воздуха", часто содержащийся в воздушном шаре. 4  — единственный подходящий по смыслу вариант.

Правильный ответ указан под номером 4.

По переводу и контексту подходит вариант 1: He argued that the government should work to protect the wilderness from destruction.  =  Он утверждал, что правительство должно работать над защитой дикой природы от разрушения.

Правильный ответ указан под номером 1.

По переводу и видовременной структуре предложения подходит только вариант 2.

Правильный ответ указан под номером 2.

"Достаточно, чтобы накормить себя".

Правильный ответ указан под номером 1.

Устойчивое выражение "approve of".

Правильный ответ указан под номером 2.

Dear Richard,
Thank you for your message. I'm sorry for not writing you for so long. I spent time doing a school project.
I hope you’ll succeed at your finals. I prefer spending time with my friend. I think that everything depends on my mood. Usually, during the weekends I need to go out to spend my free time with friends in some café or movies etc. But at the same time some weekends I stay at home and enjoy being alone, watching films, cooking food or playing the piano. Music is my main hobby. Also I’m very interested in literature.
Anyway, you've mentioned your friend is coming to see you. Have you seen each other before? What are you going to do together? Have you warned your parents about the visit?
I've got to go as my dad is asking me to help him with his car.
Write back soon.
Best wishes,
Steve

38.1.  Nowadays the power engineering is very important industry for each county. The aim of the project I am currently working on is to find out sources of energy in Zetland. As part of my project, I have found and analyzed some relevant data presented in the table.
According to the data, there is quite a wide range of power sources in Zetland which are permanently used. It is clear that the natural gas is at the top of the table as well as the petroleum (53% and 22% respectively). Obviously, they are the main fossil fuels in the modern word.
It is worth mentioning that coal power stations and nuclear power stations taken together produce less energy than the natural gas. The reason is that the natural gas is easier to mine and it can be used in more spheres of peoples’ life.
The data indicate that the power industry in Zetland do not tend to use renewable sources of energy. The great problem that can arise with this fact is natural sources of energy are going to dwindle and needs are rising due to global warming. One solution to this problem is to build more wind, solar and tidal power stations in order to save the planet.
In conclusion, I firmly believe despite all problems energy generation is very important for Zetland. I think people can use power stations wisely in order to save the environment as well as develop modern technologies. (243 words)

38.2.  Many people believe that living in a city is more comfortable than in the countryside. The purpose of the project I am currently working on is to find out more about it. As part of my project, I have found and analyzed some data on where people prefer living in Zetland.
According to the data, there is quite a wide range of places of living and each of them has the advantages. It is clear that the majority of the respondents consider outskirts as well as suburbs to be the best places of residence (40% and 30% respectively). Moreover, a great number of people (15%) would like to have a flat in the residential area of a city.
Surprisingly, only 9% of the respondents think about living in the countryside. It is a bit more popular answer than owing a flat in a downtown. To my mind, central part of big cities usually has heavy traffic jams and congested transport system, so that life there is not comfortable.
One problem that can arise with living in a city is that the air is polluted there. Thus, people living in a metropolis cannot breathe fresh air. One solution to this problem is to replace petroleum by clean fuels for vehicles and plant more trees.
In conclusion, I think that despite some problems associated with living in a big city, it is great place for living. Nowadays metropolises are changing towards the green environment. (242 words)

Обратите внимание на чтение следующих слов:
—  monarch  — /ˈmɒn.ək/;
—  yearly  — /ˈjɪə.li/;
—  milkweed  — /ˈmɪlk.wiːd/.

You could ask following questions.

1.  Where is the restaurant located?
2.  Do you have a free Wi-⁠Fi access?
3.  What special dishes do you have?
4.  Can I reserve a table?

Вопросы должны быть грамматически верными. Избегайте необоснованных пауз в речи, верно расставляйте ударения, правильно используйте интонацию, не нарушайте нормы произношения слов.

1.  I live in Saint Petersburg. Climate here is very changeable, winters are cold and snowy, summers are warm and rainy.
2.  I think that the beginning of summer is the best time to visit my region because it is the time of white nights.
3.  People in Russia like to ski in winter. In summer they usually go to the seaside to swim in the sea.
4.  My favourite season is winter. I like it best of all because I love snow.
5.  I hate rainy weather since it is not pleasant weather for walking.

Hey, Kate. You know what? I’ve just found two pictures suitable for our project "Time spending". Let me tell you a bit more about them.
These pictures are relevant to our project because there are people playing games together. In the first photo there is a small group of people sitting on the couches in a living room and playing cards. They are having a good time, smiling, talking and drinking orange juice. In the second picture there is another group of people playing tug of war. They are having fun as well. Maybe they have some sort of holiday or a competition. There are a few differences to illustrate our project better. Obviously, these two pictures show two different ways of spending free time. Although, in both of them people are having fun, those who are on the left are spending their free time passively while those who are on the right prefer playing active games.
In my opinion, both ways of time spending have their advantages. For instance, playing board games in a company is suitable for everyone. As for playing active games, it helps people improve health condition as well as relieve stress. Of course, the ways of spending spare time have disadvantages too. For example, it may be boring to sit all the time around the table and to play cards. At the same time, this active games require some preparations and special sports equipment.
As for me, I can’t tell which way of time spending I prefer. Sometimes I like to spend my holidays actively, doing some sport activities. Sometimes on weekdays, I get so tired that I just want to take a rest. Usually my family and I spend our weekends passively, we love watching film together at home.
So, shall we use these photos in our project? Call me when you’re ready to discuss if we can use them. Bye-⁠bye.

Высказывание должно быть логично; содержать вступительную и заключительную фразы, соответствующие теме. Средства логической связи должны быть использованы верно. Необходимо избегать необоснованных пауз в речи, верно расставлять ударения, правильно использовать интонацию, не нарушать нормы произношения слов.