My favourite book

Текст средней сложности — My favourite book / Моя любимая книга

They say that good books cannot become old. I can say the same about the books of a unique English writer of the 19th century, Charlotte Bronte. She is one of the best representatives of the English realism trend. My favourite book by Charlotte Bronte is the novel that brought her fame, «Jane Eyre». «Jane Eyre» is an autobiographical novel. The main character is a shy girl, who has, however, a strong will and is independent. From her childhood Jane learned that she could rely only on herself. She came from a poor family, studied at Lowood institution for poor chil­dren, where she had to face many difficulties. But she learned to overcome her fears and troubles. She was also able to sympathize with other people and give a helping hand in a difficult situation.

As Charlotte Bronte herself, Jane worked as a governess. Jane fell in love v. th her master, Mr. Rochester. Later, she found out that Mr. Rochester was married and she had to leave his house. A new life was not easy for her, but she managed to overcome everything and become happy with her beloved, after he had lost wife. There are many realistic and romantic details in the novel, Deep feelings of the main characters helped them not to lose their ability to share feelings.

There are many screen versions of the novel and the book is still read with great interest.

Словарь

a representative — представитель
to overcome — преодолевать
to sympathise with smb — сочувствовать кому-либо
a governess — гувернантка
the main character — главный герой

 

 

Learning foreign languages / Изучение иностранных языков

Текст средней сложности — Learning foreign languages / Изучение иностранных языков

I am sure learning foreign languages is very important nowadays. People start learning a foreign language, because they want to have a better job, a possibility to study abroad or take part in international conferences. People want to have a possibility to get a higher education abroad or even start their career there. The most popular among foreign languages are English, German, Italian, French and Spanish.

I have chosen English as a foreign language, because it is the most widespread language on the Earth. About one billion people speak or understand English. English is the language of international communication in many areas of life: trade, tourism and sport. The latest results of scientific investigations are also translated into English. Many books of the best modern writers and poets are translated into English. Sometimes, it is the only way to read and understand the latest works of foreign authors, Japanese or Turkish, for example.

Language is a means of communication. We learn it in order to find new friends abroad and get acquainted with other cultures. Some of my friends have already moved to the USA and Canada. They often write me letters in English and I am glad that I can understand them without anybody's help. This communication helps me to learn new English words and master my speaking skills.

Словарь

widespread — распространенный
communication — общение
investigation — исследование
to get acquainted — познакомиться
to master — совершенствовать

Checking grammar

 Test 5

1.1 knew that I ... her somewhere before.

a) saw                                 c) would see

b) had seen                         d) has seen

2. When I finally found the house, I knocked at the door but ... the answer.

a) don't hear                     c) didn't hear

b) hasn't heard                  d) heard

3.  I went out into the garden to fetch my bike, but found that someone ... it.

a) stole it                           c) has stolen

b) would steal                    d) had stolen

4. When I... for the keys, I remembered that I had left them at home.

a) looked                            c) had been looking

b) was looking                   d) look

5.1 have been working for the bank for a year already, but I ... to change my job.

a) decided                          c) has decided

b) have decided                 d) decide

6. They spoke so quickly that I ... what they were speaking about.

a) not understand             c) didn't understand

b) don't understand         d) hadn't understood

7. Yesterday our flight ... because of the fog.

a) cancelled                       c) had been cancelled

b) was cancelled                d) has been cancelled

8.1 couldn't open the office door because someone ... it.

a) lock                                c) had locked

b)locked                            d)would lock

9. As soon as you ... me, I will contact you.

a) calls                               c) called

b) will call                          d) call

10.1 ... him since he started working here.

a) have never trusted       c) trusted

b) had never trusted         d) trust

11. Mary will be ready soon. She ... coffee at the moment.

a) has                                 c) was having

b) have                               d) is having

12. If we ... late for the class, our teacher will be angry with us.

a) is                                    c) will be

b) were                               d) are

13. We ... in the sunshine for about half an hour when I suddenly felt sick.

a) have been sitting          c) sat

b) were sitting                   d) had been sitting

14. We were disappointed as the film was ... than we expected.

a) entertaining                  c) most entertaining

b) less entertaining          d) entertaining

15. We usually ask our teacher to explain ... difficult problems to us.

a) the                                  c) a

b) -                                     d) this

16. Playing ... guitar is an interesting hobby.

a) -                                     c) the

b) a                                     d) mine

17. Our city is famous for ... beautiful ancient buildings.

a) its                                   c) it's

b) it                                    d) his

18. Her hair is long and fair. Everybody admires ... .

a) them                              c) they

b) it                                    d) its

19. You are very good ... dealing with people.

a) in                                    c) on

b) at                                    d) about

20. Last summer our neighbours decided to drive to Scotland ... a short holiday.

a) at                                    c) on

b) to                                    d) for

Text for reading

 

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say an itch that won't go away is one of?
a) the things we have to accept
b) the things that drive you crazy
c) the most annoying things in life
d) many things we have to live with
2) In which university was the research conducted?
a) Harvard Medical School
b) MIT
c) UCLA
d) New York University
3) What does the skin bacteria interact with?
a) hair follicles
b) nerve cells
c) hair
d) sunburned skin
4) What is the name of the most common disease that causes itching?
a) edema
b) emphysema
c) asthma
d) eczema
5) For whom can itches be debilitating?
a) people with lots of body hair
b) older people
c) people with chronic skin conditions
d) older bald or balding men

6) In what creatures did researchers conduct their research?
a) snails
b) mice
c) goldfish
d) chimpanzees
7) What did the researchers call the enzyme they found?
a) V6
b) V4
c) V12
d) V8
8) What did the enzyme trigger?
a) a sugar
b) a protein
c) a fat
d) a carbohydrate
9) How many people in the world suffer from eczema?
a) fewer than 245 million
b) around 245 million
c) more than 245 million
d) exactly 245 million
10) How much likelier is it that females will have eczema?
a) twice as likely
b) three times as likely
c) 10 times as likely
d) 100 hundred times as likely

Role play

Role  A – An Itchy Nose You think an itchy nose is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): pins and needles, being unable to sleep or sniffing.

Role  B – Pins and Needles You think pins and needles is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): an itchy nose, being unable to sleep or sniffing.

Role  C – Being Unable to Sleep You think being unable to sleep is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): pins and needles, an itchy nose or sniffing.

Role  D – Sniffing You think sniffing is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): pins and needles, being unable to sleep or an itchy nose.

 

 

 

Grammar

 Test 3

1. Excuse me, do you speak English? I ... for a hotel.

a) look                                c) was looking

b) am looking                    d) have been looking

2.  Last summer we wanted a relaxing holiday, so we ... to stay on a small island.

a) choose                            c) had chosen

b) have chosen                   d) chose

3. Mathematics ... hard. I don't understand it.

a) are                                  c) was

b) is                                    d) were

4. While we ... for the train, it started to rain.

a) waited                            c) was waiting

b) are waiting                    d) were waiting

5. The police officer said that every house in that street ... already by the police.

a) search                            c) had been searched

b) were searched               d) searched

6. There is going to be a big art exhibition. It... a lot of visitors.

a) attracts                          c) has attracted

b) will attract                    d) attracted

7. The result of his investigation ... in the newspaper soon.

a) publish                          c) will be published

b) be published                  d) is published

8.  When they arrived home, their children ... outside the door waiting for them.

a) sit                                   c) was sitting

b) are sitting                     d) were sitting

9. We ... a new computer not long ago. Now the job will be done much more quickly.

a) had bought                    c) bought

b) was bought                    d) have bought

10. He was sorry that he ... to me for so long.

a) didn't write                   c) hadn't been writing

b) haven't been writing   d) hasn't been writing

11. The ring you found ... be returned to an old lady who had lost it.

a) can                                 c) have to

b) must                               d) are to

12. Everybody in our team played ... except the captain.

a) bad                                 c) worst

b) badly                              d) the worst

13. You know much, but you know ... than your teacher.

a) little                               c) least

b) less                                 d) much

14. Small shops are not as ... as supermarkets.

a) more convenient           c) most convenient

b) convenient                     d) the most convenient

15. Sarah is a very good pianist. She plays ... piano very well.

a) a                                     c) the

b)an                                   d)-

16. We had five phone calls, but there were ... for you.

a) no                                   c) either

b) none                               d) neither

17. I didn't have much time, but I ... visit a lot of places of interest in London.

a) can                                 c) must

b) was able to                    d) had to

18. That's an easy question! ... knows the answer!

a) All                                  c) Each

b) Everybody                     d) Every

19. The comic told silly jokes, but nobody laughed ... him.

a) on                                   c) at

b) under                             d)about

20. We feel sorry ... Sam because he hasn't got any friends.

a) for                                  c) with

b)about                              d) by

Test 4

1. If I ... some fish, will you cook it for me?

a) will catch                       c) caught

b) catch                              d) am catching

2.  She said that she ... her present flat. She tried to find

another one.

a) doesn't like                   c) didn't like

b) won't like                      d) likes

3.1 saw you yesterday from the bus. Where ... you ... at that

time?

a) was hurrying                c) had hurried

b) were hurrying               d) did hurry

4.1 found that everything I said on the phone ... to the police.

a) report                            c) was reported

b) is reported                     d) had been reported

5. When I speak Italian, all the others in the class ... at me as I don't know the language well.

a) laughed                          c) will laugh

b) was laughing                d) laugh

6.  He ... in the Army for eighteen months. This is his last month.

a) serves                            c) has been serving

b) is serving                      d) have served

7. Don't make noise: the children ... to sleep.

a) try                                  c) will try

b) is trying                        d) are trying

8. A new museum ... in the city. What a beautiful building it will be!

a) was being built             c) is built

b) is being built                 d) builds

9.  Two terrorists ... in New York some days ago.

a) are arrested                   c) were arrested

b) have been arrested       d) will be arrested

10.1 ... understand this letter. Will you translate it for me?

a) mustn't                         c) may not

b) can't                               d) shouldn't

11.  Diana's parents don't let her go to late-night disco. She ... be at home at 9 o'clock in the evening.

a) must                              c) may

b) can                                 d) have to

12. Henry ... apologize for his bad behaviour yesterday.

a) have to                           c) had to

b) may                                d) is to

13.  The children studied hard, and as a result they passed the exams ... of all.

a) good                               c) best

b) better                             d) the best

14. This is ... film I've ever seen.

a) more interesting           c) most interesting

b) the most interesting    d) not interesting

15.  ... old, ... sick, ... unemployed need our special care.

a) -                                     c) the

b) an                                   d)everybody

16. Someone who saw ... robbery called the-police.

a) -                                     c)the

b) a                                     d)those

17. According to this song ... we need is love.

a) all                                   c) each

b) every                              d) some

18. We wished the bride and groom happiness in ... new life together.

a) there                              c) theirs

b) their                               d) these

19. Excuse me, but does this umbrella belong ... you?

a) to                                    c) at

b) for                                  d) with

20.  I listened to the radio every day to know the weather forecast but I can never rely ... it.

a) at                                    c) in

b) to                                    d) on

 Test1

1. Have you ever visited other countries? - Yes, I... to Italy and France.

a) was                             c) had been

b) have been                    d) would be

2.  I feel really tired. We ... to the party last night and have just returned home.

a) went                            c) had seen

b) has gone                      d) was going

3. At the beginning of the film I realized that I ... it before.

a) see                              c) had seen

b) saw                             d) have seen

4.  When the bus stopped in the small square, Helen ... her magazine and didn't realized at first that she had arrived at her destination.

a) read                            c) was reading

b) reads                           d) had read

5.  My sister's son ... in tomorrow's race, because he is too young. They do not allow riders under sixteen.

a) won't ride                   c) wouldn't ride

b) shan't ride                  d) doesn't ride

6. A beautiful bridge ... in our city. It will be finished next year.

a) builds                          c) is being built

b) is built                        d) has been built

7.  It has been raining for two hours. I hope it ... raining soon.

a) stops                           c) would stop

b) shall stop                    d) stop

8.  Television has many advantages. It keeps us informed about the latest news, and also ... entertainment at home.

a) provide                        c) is provided

b) provides                      d) provided

9. On the other hand television ... for the violent behaviour of some young people, and for encouraging children to sit indoors, instead of doing sports.

a) blames                         c) is blamed

b) blamed                        d) would blame

10. Some millionaires have lots of money and ... what to do with it.

a) don't know                  c) won't know

b) didn't                          d) knows

11. How ... at college? You didn't say much about it in your last letter.

a) do you get on               c) will you get on

b) are you get on             d) are you getting on

12. When you ... in this city again? - In a month.

a) arrive                          c) have you arrived

b) arrived                        d) will you arrive

13. Every time that I miss the bus, it means that I ... walk to work.

a) has to                          c) had to

b) have to                        d) could

14. Every time when I missed the bus, I ... to return home late.

a) must                           c) can

b) had                              d) may

15. That was great! It was ... meal you have ever cooked.

a) good                            c) best

b) better                          d) the best

16.  This exhibition is ... interesting than the previous one.

a)  little                           c) least

b) less                              d) the least

17. We saw ... good film last night. The film was about the love of a girl to her cat and dog.

a) a                                 c) -

b)the                              d) an

18. Everybody agrees that ... happiness is very important in the life of people.

a) -                                 с) а

b) the                              d) many

19.  In the past people lived in ... harmony with the environment.

a) a                                 c) the

b) an                               d) -

20. When they arrived ... the station, they rushed to the platform not to miss the train.

a)to                                c)in

b) at                                d) for

Test 2

1. When you ... older, you'll change your mind about this.

a) will grow                     c) have grown

b) grow                            d) grew

2. By the time the police get there, the burglars ... .

a) vanish                         c) will have vanished

b) will vanish                  d) vanished

3. As soon as the taxi arrives, I ... you know.

a) let                               c) had let

b) have let                       d) will let

4. My friend has been writing to me for years already, but he never ... a photo.

a) sends                           c) will send

b) has sent                       d) sent

5. Why are you busy packing? - My train ... in two hours, so we'll leave the house in an hour.

a) is leaving                    c) leaves

b) will be leaving             d) left

6. When was this building finished? - They say it ... by the end of last year.

a) had been finished         c) will be finished

b) was finished                d) finishes

7.  I thought that I ... my key and was very glad when I found it.

a) lose                             c) had lost

b) lost                              d) was losing

8. What's the matter? You look upset. Last week I lost my scarf and now I just ... my gloves.

a) lost                              c) had lost

b) have lost                      d) lose

9.1 ... for this bank for five years already but I have decided to change my job.

a) am working                 c) have been working

b) has worked                  d) worked

10. Martin said that he ... the tickets the next day.

a) bought                           c) will buy

b) had bought                    d) would buy

11.  The house opposite our college .,., that's why we are using the back entrance at present.

a) pulls down                     c) is being pulled down

b) is pulled down               d) pulled down

12. You ... an umbrella when you left the house, didn't you?

a) have                               c) had had

b) was having                    d) had

13. By the time we got to the cinema the film ... .

a) will begin                      c) had begun

b) would begin                   d) began

14. Is there anything I ... do to help you?

a) can                                 c) am to

b) may                                d) as to

15. The last film I saw was ... frightening than this one.

a) little                               c) least

b) less                                 d) the least

16. Someone is calling you. Will you answer ... phone?

a) a                                     c) -

b) the                                  d) these

17.  To tell the truth I don't like ... pair of trousers that I bought last month.

a) those                              c) that

b) this                                 d) a

18. Whose house is it? - It's ... .

a) my                                  c) her

b) mine                               d) our

19.  Today is ... cold than yesterday. So, I'm wearing my

shorts.

a) little                               c) least

b) less                                 d) the least

20. "Come home ... Christmas Day, we'll be waiting for you", my mother always says to me.

a)in                                    c) -

b) on                                   d) at