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Описание заданий 12—18

В заданиях 12—18 (высокого уровня сложности) надо прочитать более сложный, чем в предыдущих заданиях, текст и выбрать правильный ответ из четырёх предложенных. Даётся семь вопросов и к каждому — четыре варианта ответа, из которых только один является правильным. Эти семь вопросов могут иметь вид незаконченных утверждений, к которым надо выбрать завершение, соответствующее содержанию текста. Так проверяется полное понимание текста. За каждый правильный ответ вы получаете 1 балл. Максимум за успешное выполнение этого задания — 7 баллов.

Стратегии выполнения заданий 12—18

Алгоритм выполнения заданий 12—18 раздела “Чтение” близок к алгоритму выполнения задания 3 раздела “Аудирование”.

Здесь проверяется полное и детальное понимание текста. Некоторые вопросы могут проверять понимание ДЕТАЛЕЙ и могут быть связаны с конкретным отрезком текста, другие — понимание ВСЕГО ТЕКСТА, понимание мыслей и намерений автора и могут быть не связаны с конкретным отрезком текста. Как правило, такие вопросы (один—два) даются последними.

Эти задания наиболее трудные в разделе “Чтение”, поэтому если сам текст или задания вам кажутся слишком сложными, а время, уже затраченное на выполнение заданий этого раздела, приближается к 30 минутам, НЕ ВЫПОЛНЯЙТЕ эти задания и ПЕРЕЙДИТЕ к следующему разделу — “Грамматика и лексика”. Когда вы выполните остальные задания, можете вернуться к пропущенным вопросам. Даже если вы к ним не вернётесь, вы потеряете только 7 баллов. Если вы не выполните остальные задания экзаменационной работы, вы потеряете гораздо больше.

1. Ознакомьтесь с общим содержанием текста, постарайтесь уловить развитие сюжета или развитие мысли автора. Не пугайтесь незнакомых слов и длинных сложных предложений. НЕ ЧИТАЙТЕ текст ЕЩЁ РАЗ, прежде чем вы поработаете с тестовыми вопросами.

2. Как и в других заданиях, предложенные вам тестовые вопросы обычно идут в том же порядке, что и информация в тексте. В конце задания могут быть вопросы более общего характера. Отвечая на них, надо подумать обо всём тексте в целом.

3. Просмотрите все тестовые вопросы к данному тексту. При этом не читайте альтернативные ответы (концовки предложений) 1—4. Закройте их ручкой, листочком бумаги или рукой. Читайте ТОЛЬКО сам вопрос или начало предложения, концовку которого вам надо выбрать. Просмотрев таким образом все вопросы и составив о них представление, начинайте работать с ними по порядку.

4. Прочитав первый вопрос, подумайте, есть ли у вас ответ на основе прочитанного текста. Откройте и прочитайте первый предложенный вам ответ — это то, о чём вы подумали?

5. Перечитайте первый вопрос, откройте и прочитайте второй альтернативный ответ, затем — третий и четвёртый. Если вы явно отдаёте предпочтение одному из этих ответов, определите, к какой части текста относится вопрос, и ищите там подтверждение своему выбору. Если вы не можете сделать выбор, перейдите ко второму этапу.

6. Сосредоточьтесь на альтернативных ответах (концовках предложений) 1—4. Определите, что их роднит, а что различает: они могут быть очень похожи, но иметь одно различие. Эту деталь и надо найти в тексте и выбрать нужную формулировку в ответах.

7. Помните, что если два альтернативных ответа совпадают по смыслу (синонимичны), ни один из них не может быть правильным.

8. Когда вы обращаетесь к тексту, чтобы проверить свой ответ, читайте только тот отрезок текста, который вам для этого необходим. Обдумывая свой выбор, сконцентрируйтесь на нём, отвлекитесь от текста, не пытайтесь одновременно читать ещё какую-то его часть.

9. Закончив работу над всеми вопросами к данному тексту, прочитайте выбранные вами ответы — все подряд. Проверьте, нет ли в выбранных ответах нарушений логики, складываются ли они в логическую картинку и не противоречат ли исходному тексту.

10. После выполнения всех заданий раздела “Чтение” не забудьте перенести ваши ответы в бланк ответов № 1.

Учимся выполнять задания 12—18

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12—18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному вами варианту ответа.

Space could solve water problems

Have you ever tasted saltwater? I guess you have and if so, you will agree with me that it’s not very refreshing. In fact, drinking more than a few cups worth can kill you.

According to the United States Geological Survey, whose mission is to collect and disseminate reliable, impartial, and timely information that is needed to understand the nation’s water resources, about ninety-seven percent of the water on our planet is saltwater; the rest is stored in lakes, rivers, glaciers and aquifers underground. Moreover, only about one-third of the world’s potential fresh water can be used for human needs. As pollution increases, the amount of usable water decreases.

Water is the most precious and taken-for-granted resource we have on Earth. It is also one of the most threatened resources. Increased population and possible climate change will put more and more strain on supplies of this vital resource as time goes on. What could we do in this situation? Though it may seem like science fiction, the solution could lie in outer space.

I’m not saying we’re going to be teleporting to a spring on the other side of the galaxy or colonizing another planet just to have longer showers — it’s much more mundane than that. What we could achieve realistically in this century is the successful use of the solar system’s rare metals and water, barring the invention of the matrix.

You may be surprised to learn that the metal in your keys, coins, cell phone, computer, car and everywhere else, originally came to this planet from space. When Earth formed, the heavy metals sank to the center and formed a solid core. The lighter elements formed the mantle and the crust we live on. Asteroids and comets that struck the Earth brought water and metals to the surface.

There are thousands of asteroids orbiting near Earth. Most asteroids are made of rock, but some are composed of metal, mostly nickel and iron. Probes could be sent out to these to identify useful ones. Then larger probes could push them towards the Earth where they can be handled in orbit.

In order to fuel ships and probes, we simply need to find a source of water, such as a comet or the surface of the moon. We collect the water and pass an electric current through it from a solar panel. The water separates into oxygen and hydrogen, which in liquid form is a powerful rocket fuel.

Is this really possible? We may soon find out. Private company SpaceX has already started delivering equipment to the International Space Station (ISS).

The ISS is proof that countries once at each other’s throats, like America and Russia, can work together and pull off multi-billion dollar projects.

Recently, a company called Planetary Resources Inc. made the news for getting big names like Google and Microsoft to invest in exploring asteroids for material gain. Although it will take many decades, it is wise to put the gears in motion now.

We’ve already landed probes on the surface of asteroids and taken samples from them. We can put something as large as the ISS, which weighs just short of 500 tons, according to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in orbit.

We can make a half-million-mile round-trip to get rocks from the moon. We can do all of these things already. They just need to be applied and developed in a smart way.

12. What problem is raised in the article?

1) Cooperation in space.

2) Threats of climate change.

3) Danger of drinking salt water.

4) Lack of water supplies on Earth.

Ответ: [ ]

13. According to the author, the information published in the US Geological Survey is meant to …

1) assure the nation that there is still enough of usable water.

2) help to monitor the state of the country’s water resources.

3) demonstrate the quality of water the nation uses.

4) warn the public about the dangers of water pollution.

Ответ: [ ]

14. The author thinks that outer space …

1) is dangerous because of asteroids.

2) is a source of important supplies.

3) is not studied properly.

4) should be colonized.

Ответ: [ ]

15. According to the author, the space water sources may be used for …

1) fuel production.

2) water supplies for spaceships.

3) moon exploration.

4) the production of electricity.

Ответ: [ ]

16. The Google and Microsoft (paragraph 9) are mentioned to …

1) explain how Planetary Resources Inc. became famous.

2) prove that asteroids can be commercially attractive.

3) show that space research is important for computer science.

4) prove that asteroids can interfere with the Internet.

Ответ: [ ]

17. The expression “put the gears in motion” in “… it is wise to put the gears in motion now” (paragraph 9) means …

1) “to explore”.

2) “to begin”.

3) “to move”.

4) “to invest”.

Ответ: [ ]

18. What idea is stressed in the last two paragraphs?

1) There is room for further achievements in space exploration.

2) Asteroids are unique objects for scientific research.

3) Only smart administration can manage space programs.

4) International Space Station is the heaviest object in space.

Ответ: [ ]

Разбор заданий 12—18

ШАГ 1. Знакомимся с заданиями 12—18 раздела “Чтение”. Внимательно изучаем инструкцию к заданиям 12—18. Стараемся понять, что необходимо сделать в этих заданиях.

В заданиях 12—18 предлагается текст для чтения и вопросы с четырьмя вариантами ответа, из которых нужно выбрать один правильный. Подобный формат задания уже разбирался в разделе “Аудирование”. Разница между заданиями 12—18 и заданиями по аудированию 3—9 состоит только в следующем:

• в первом случае даётся письменный, а не устный текст, и его можно прочитать несколько раз;

• в аудировании тест множественного выбора включал три варианта ответа, в чтении — четыре варианта ответа.

Задача экзаменуемого — понять все детали текста и его общий смысл и правильно ответить на поставленные вопросы, выбрав правильный ответ из четырёх предложенных вариантов ответа, либо завершить утверждение с помощью одного из четырёх вариантов ответа. Таким образом, задания 3—9 и 12—18 требуют одинаковых стратегий выполнения. Эти задания относятся к высокому уровню сложности и значительно сложнее, чем предыдущие задания в этих же разделах.

Данные задания направлены на полное и детальное понимание информации в письменном тексте, в них проверяются следующие умения:

• точно и полно понимать всю информацию и детали;

• понимать текст на уровне значения и на уровне смысла;

• понимать информацию, данную имплицитно, т. е. в неявном виде; понимать подтекст.

ШАГ 2. Знакомимся с общим содержанием текста. Стараемся уловить развитие сюжета или развитие мысли автора. Не пугайтесь незнакомых слов и длинных сложных предложений. НЕ ЧИТАЙТЕ текст ЕЩЁ РАЗ, прежде чем вы поработаете с тестовыми вопросами.

ШАГ 3. Изучаем письменные утверждения/вопросы 12—18. Пытаемся понять смысл утверждений/ вопросов, чтобы определить, какая информация потребуется для решения поставленной задачи. Определяем, что для решения поставленной задачи необходимо понять информацию, представленную как эксплицитно (в явном виде), так и имплицитно (в неявном виде, скрыто, в подтексте).

ШАГ 4. Выполняем задание 12. Быстро просматриваем утверждение 12, а затем бегло читаем первый фрагмент статьи.

Вопрос 12 выглядит следующим образом:

12. What problem is raised in the article?

1) Cooperation in space.

2) Threats of climate change.

3) Danger of drinking salt water.

4) Lack of water supplies on Earth.

Ответ: [ ]

Данный вопрос проверяет понимание общего смысла абзаца. Соотносим вопрос с тем фрагментом текста, который к нему относится.

Space could solve water problems

Have you ever tasted saltwater? I guess you have and if so, you will agree with me that it’s not very refreshing. In fact, drinking more than a few cups worth can kill you.

According to the United States Geological Survey, whose mission is to collect and disseminate reliable, impartial, and timely information that is needed to understand the nation’s water resources, about ninety-seven percent of the water on our planet is saltwater; the rest is stored in lakes, rivers, glaciers and aquifers underground. Moreover, only about one-third of the world’s potential fresh water can be used for human needs. As pollution increases, the amount of usable water decreases.

Анализ текста показывает, что уже сам заголовок частично даёт нам ответ на вопрос о том, какой проблеме посвящён текст, так как обычно в заголовке отражена основная идея текста или его тема. Из заголовка узнаём, что речь идёт о проблемах с водой, которые могут быть решены с помощью космоса. Поэтому первые два варианта ответа нам не подходят. Но какой же проблеме с водой посвящён текст? В первом абзаце речь идёт об опасности пить солёную воду, но уже второй абзац свидетельствует, что дело не в этом (смотри ключевые слова и фразы, выделенные шрифтом). Так что третий вариант тоже не подходит. В тексте сказано, что пресной воды мало, так как только одна треть ресурсов может быть использована для человеческих нужд, да и эти ресурсы уменьшаются. Таким образом, верен четвёртый вариант ответа — Lack of water supplies on Earth.

ШАГ 5. Переходим к следующему заданию. Рассмотрим задание 13. Будем действовать по той же схеме. Просмотрим утверждения, выделим ключевые слова в тексте.

13. According to the author, the information published in the US Geological Survey is meant to …

1) assure the nation that there is still enough of usable water.

2) help to monitor the state of the country’s water resources.

3) demonstrate the quality of water the nation uses.

4) warn the public about the dangers of water pollution.

Ответ: [ ]

Возьмём тот же абзац. Ранее мы уже выделили ключевые слова в тексте, теперь попробуем соотнести их с вариантами ответа.

According to the United States Geological Survey, whose mission is to collect and disseminate reliable, impartial, and timely information that is needed to understand the nation’s water resources, about ninety-seven percent of the water on our planet is saltwater; the rest is stored in lakes, rivers, glaciers and aquifers underground. Moreover, only about one-third of the world’s potential fresh water can be used for human needs. As pollution increases, the amount of usable water decreases.

Рассмотрим первый вариант ответа. Ключевыми в нём являются слова assure и there is still enough of usable water, которые вступают в противоречие со сказанным в тексте, что только 1/3 пресной воды пригодна для использования людьми. Можно также соотнести слово assure с предложением о миссии предпринятого исследования mission is to collect and disseminate reliable, impartial, and timely information that is needed to understand the nation’s water resources. Анализ текста показывает, что в задачи исследования не входило кого-то заверять или убеждать в чём-то, учёные должны были собрать и распространить надёжную и своевременную информацию о водных ресурсах. Отсюда первый вариант не подходит. Не подходят и третий и четвёртый варианты, так как основная миссия — сбора информации и её распространения — согласуется только со словом monitor, которое является обобщённым словом, содержащим понятия collect anddisseminate. Можно найти ключевое слово monitor в тестовом задании, которое точно соответствует содержанию текста только во втором варианте ответа. Следовательно, второй ответ верен.

ШАГ 6. Рассматриваем задание 14. Просмотрим его с вариантами ответа, а потом проанализируем текст.

14. The author thinks that outer space …

1) is dangerous because of asteroids.

2) is a source of important supplies.

3) is not studied properly.

4) should be colonized.

Ответ: [ ]

Ещё раз обратим внимание на то, что во всех заданиях порядок вопросов соответствует порядку, в котором информация появляется в тексте. Возьмем следующие абзацы и выделим в них ключевые слова, которые помогут понять смысл текста и соотнести его с тестовым заданием.

Water is the most precious and taken-for-granted resource we have on Earth. It is also one of the most threatened resources. Increased population and possible climate change will put more and more strain on supplies of this vital resource as time goes on. What could we do in this situation? Though it may seem like science fiction, the solution could lie in outer space.

I’m not saying we’re going to be teleporting to a spring on the other side of the galaxy or colonizing another planet just to have longer showers — it’s much more mundane than that. What we could achieve realistically in this century is the successful use of the solar system’s rare metals and water, barring the invention of the matrix.

You may be surprised to learn that the metal in your keys, coins, cell phone, computer, car and everywhere else, originally came to this planet from space. When Earth formed, the heavy metals sank to the center and formed a solid core. The lighter elements formed the mantle and the crust we live on. Asteroids and comets that struck the Earth brought water and metals to the surface.

There are thousands of asteroids orbiting near Earth. Most asteroids are made of rock, but some are composed of metal, mostly nickel and iron. Probes could be sent out to these to identify useful ones.Then larger probes could push them towards the Earth where they can be handled in orbit.

Рассмотрим первый вариант ответа. Соответствует ли его смысл тексту? Нет, не соответствует. В тексте упоминаются астероиды, но ничего не говорится об опасности, которую они могут нести: этот вариант не подходит. Рассмотрим второй вариант ответа: он подходит. Во втором абзаце мы находим ключевые слова, которые указывают на то, что это правильный ответ. К ним можноотнести последнее предложение во втором абзаце текста, а именно: What we could achieve realistically in this century is the successful use of the solar system’s rare metals and water… В следующем, третьем, абзаце автор развивает тезис о реальности разрабатывать полезные ресурсы и пополнять их запасы из космоса, говоря о внеземном происхождении металла, и подкрепляет свою мысль предложением Asteroids and comets that struck the Earth brought water and metals to the surface. Слова water and metals конкретизируют понятия important supplies, vital resources. В этом случае нам подходит второй ответ.

Проверим себя. Может ли подойти третий вариант? Нет, так как в тексте ничего не сказано о качестве изучения космоса. Четвёртый вариант тоже не подходит, так как во втором абзацерассматриваемой части текста говорится: I’m not saying we’re going to be teleporting to a spring on the other side of the galaxy or colonizing another planet…

ШАГ 7. Рассматриваем задание 15. Читаем тестовое задание и варианты ответа на него.

15. According to the author, the space water sources may be used for …

1) fuel production.

2) water supplies for spaceships.

3) moon exploration.

4) the production of electricity.

Ответ: [ ]

Проанализируем следующий абзац и выделим в нём ключевые слова, которые помогут нам выбрать правильный ответ.

In order to fuel ships and probes, we simply need to find a source of water, such as a comet or the surface of the moon. We collect the water and pass an electric current through it from a solar panel. The water separates into oxygen and hydrogen, which in liquid form is a powerful rocket fuel.

Анализ текста показывает, что уже первый вариант ответа нас устраивает. Почему? Первое и последнее предложения абзаца содержат информацию, которая прямо указывает на верность первого варианта ответа, потому что в данном отрывке текста речь идёт о возможном способе получения горючего для космических кораблей. Что касается вариантов 2, 3 и 4 — они не подходят по смыслу, хотя в тексте есть слова, отвлекающие от правильного ответа, такие, как moon, electric current, но они использованы в другом контексте.

ШАГ 8. Рассматриваем задание 16. Как и ранее, вначале изучаем само задание и варианты ответов к нему.

16. The Google and Microsoft (paragraph 9) are mentioned to …

1) explain how Planetary Resources Inc. became famous.

2) prove that asteroids can be commercially attractive.

3) show that space research is important for computer science.

4) prove that asteroids can interfere with the Internet.

Ответ: [ ]

Затем обратимся к следующему абзацу и выделим в нём ключевые слова.

Recently, a company called Planetary Resources Inc. made the news for getting big names like Google and Microsoft to invest in exploring asteroids for material gain. Although it will take many decades, it is wise to put the gears in motion now.

Рассмотрим первый вариант ответа. Он не подходит: компания привлекла Гугл и Майкрософт, но стала ли от этого знаменитой, в тексте не сказано. Подойдёт ли по смыслу второй ответ? Да, подойдёт. Словосочетание commercially attractive передаёт тот же смысл, что и to invest … for material gain. Варианты 3 и 4 не подходят, так как в данном абзаце ничего не сказано о том, что космические исследования важны для компьютерной науки или что астероиды мешают работе Интернета.

ШАГ 9. Рассматриваем задание 17 и варианты ответа на него.

17. The expression “put the gears in motion” in “… it is wise to put the gears in motion now” (paragraph 9) means …

1) “to explore”

2) “to begin”.

3) “to move”.

4) “to invest”.

Ответ: [ ]

Теперь просмотрим текст того же абзаца, который мы уже читали при анализе предыдущего задания. Здесь мы встречаемся с идиоматическим выражением put the gears in motion, что соответствует русскому “запустить машину”, т. е. “что-то начать”. Анализ вариантов показывает, что только ответ 2 содержит глагол “начинать, начать”. Следовательно, правильный ответ — 2.

ШАГ 10. Рассматриваем последнее задание 18 и варианты ответов на него.

18. What idea is stressed in the last two paragraphs?

1) There is room for further achievements in space exploration.

2) Asteroids are unique objects for scientific research.

3) Only smart administration can manage space programs.

4) International Space Station is the heaviest object in space.

Ответ: [ ]

ШАГ 11. Теперь читаем окончание текста и выделяем в нём ключевые слова, которые помогают ориентироваться в смысле текста.

We’ve already landed probes on the surface of asteroids and taken samples from them. We can put something as large as the ISS, which weighs just short of 500 tons, according to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in orbit.

We can make a half-miilion-mile round-trip to get rocks from the moon. We can do all of these things already. They just need to be applied and developed in a smart way.

Проанализируем варианты и соотнесём их с текстом. Первый вариант There is room for further achievements in space exploration нам подходит. Слово room используется в значении “место, пространство”, и вариант в переводе звучит как “есть место для дальнейших достижений в исследовании космоса”. Это и есть основная идея последних двух абзацев. Смысл приведённых примеров в абзаце (что можно сделать в будущем в космосе) доказывает этот тезис. Вариант 2 не может быть правильным, так как в тексте говорится об исследовании не только астероидов, но и Луны. Третий вариант тоже не подходит, так как NASA хотя и упоминается, но в другом контексте. Четвёртый вариант не подходит, так как космическая станция хотя и упоминается, но, во-первых, в тексте не сказано, что это самый тяжёлый объект в космосе, а во-вторых, что более важно, станция упоминается в тексте как один из примеров того, что можно сделать в будущем. Важен вывод на основе приведённых примеров, а он есть только в ответе 1.

Типичные ошибки при выполнении заданий 12—18

Экзаменуемые:

• неправильно выделяют ключевые слова;

• не понимают смысл прочитанного текста;

• неправильно определяют временную и причинно-следственную взаимосвязь событий;

• выбирают вариант ответа только потому, что те же слова есть в тексте, и забывают, что верный ответ, как правило, перефразирован, т. е. опираются в выборе ответа на слова, а не на смысл;

• не понимают имплицитно выраженную (данную в неявном виде) информацию.

Подготовительные упражнения к заданиям 12—18

1. Ответьте на вопросы.

1. Какова цель заданий 12—18?

2. Какой уровень сложности заданий 12—18?

3. Какие ключевые умения проверяют задания 12—18?

4. Какой вид теста используется для заданий 12—18?

5. Какой тип текста используется для заданий 12—18?

6. Сколько баллов можно получить за задания 12—18?

2. Прочитайте текст. Выделите основную информацию, второстепенную информацию и детали. Заполните таблицу.

Game theory

An 11-year-old boy taps furiously on a laptop, blasting enemies as he goes through a maze. They wipe him out before he can reach the end — game over. Frustrated, he opens the game’s programming window, changes the gravity setting, and this time beats the baddies. Victory!

This could be the future of American education, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Quest to Learn school opened last September in Manhattan, welcoming the first class of sixth-graders who will learn almost entirely through videogame-inspired activities, an educational strategy designed to keep kids engaged and prepare them for high-tech careers.

Основная информация	Второстепенная информация	Детали

3. Прочитайте текст из предыдущего задания. Задайте по два вопроса по основной информации, по второстепенной информации и к деталям.

4. Прочитайте текст и вопросы предыдущих двух заданий. Попросите вашего одноклассника ответить на ваши вопросы.

5. Прочитайте тестовый вопрос в форме незаконченного предложения, найдите соответствие во фрагменте и подчеркните его. Затем прочитайте задание с предложенными вариантами ответа и выберите правильный.

(1) At the beginning of the article the author says that it used to be polite in Britain to …

For the British, it’s a well-known social law that in several, if not most, public spaces, silence is key. Those who dare speak in a London tube carriage, particularly during rush hours, are condemned to receive dirty looks from other passengers for the duration of their journey.

At the beginning of the article the author says that it used to be polite in Britain to…

1) keep silence in public places.

2) sneeze in public places.

3) avoid looking at people.

4) talk while travelling.

Ответ: [ ]

(2) Chatting is compared to a physical exercise because the author thinks it is …

Chit-chat is rather like going to the gym — arduous at first, but afterwards you’re pleased you made the effort. However, a sudden and excessive interest in any technology we have on our person gives those around us the impression that it’s them we want to avoid, not the “er …” that may result from wondering what to say next.

Chatting is compared to a physical exercise because the author thinks it is …

1) enhanced by technology.

2) a rewarding experience.

3) an exercise for your brain.

4) impressive for people around. ⁶

Ответ: [ ]

6. Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы.

Ever since Pong, videogames have outperformed teachers in one key way: they command attention for hours. “Games are exceptionally good at engaging kids,” says Quest’s main designer Katie Salen, a game designer and technology professor at the New School University. “They drop kids into complex problems where they fail and fail, but they try again and again.” She knew, though, that when kids face tough problems in school, they sometimes just give up, which is partly why only a third of eighth-graders earn “proficient” math scores on national assessment tests.

13. According to the text, videogames outperform teachers at …

1) preparing students for standardized tests.

2) keeping students’ attention.

Ответ: [ ]

14. The word “they” in “They drop kids into complex problems …” (paragraph 3) refers to …

1) students.

2) games.

Ответ: [ ]

7. Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы.

With this in mind, three years ago Salen started the Institute of Play, a nonprofit collaboration of game designers and learning experts who create games to teach school material. After successful tests in city classrooms, the group worked with the New York City Department of Education to open Quest to Learn.

This year’s 72-student class is split into four groups that rotate through five courses during the day: Codeworlds (math/English), Being, Space and Place (social studies/ English), The Way Things Work (math/science), Sports for the Mind (game design), and Wellness (health/PE). Instead of slogging through problem sets, students learn collaboratively in group projects that require an understanding of subjects in the New York State curriculum. The school’s model draws on 30 years of research showing that people learn best when they’re in a social context that puts new knowledge to use. Kids learn more by, say, pretending to be Spartan spies gathering intel on Athens than by memorizing facts about ancient Greece.

15. Which of the following statements about studying at Quest to Learn is NOT true, according to paragraph 5?

1) At Quest to Learn students study four main subjects.

2) Group work is one of the main forms of learning.

3) Its curriculum is based on the New York State curriculum.

Ответ: [ ]

16. In paragraph 5, the task to gather information on Athens (“Kids learn more …”) is probably an example of how students study …

1) English.

2) game design.

3) history.

Ответ: [ ]

8. Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы.

Most sixth-graders don’t expect to ever need to identify integers, but at Quest, it’s the key to a code-breaking game. In another class, when creatures called Troggles needed help moving heavy objects the class made a video instructing how long a ramp they should build to minimize the force they needed to apply. “They’re picking concepts up as well as, if not better than, at other schools,” says Quest’s math and science teacher Ameer Mourad. Beyond make-believe, Quest is the first middle school to teach videogame design. Salen says building games teaches students about complex systems, which will prepare them for growing fields such as bioinformatics.

The plan is for this class to attend Quest through high school, adding more sixth- graders every year. Although students must pass the annual standardized tests that all public students do to keep a school open, educators so far are impressed.

Salen has pilot studies to back up that risk; however, she won’t know if the school prepares kids for real-world success until the first class graduates. But Quest has already proved itself in one area: the kids love it. “It’s fun,” says student Nadine Clements. Her least favourite part of school? “Dismissal.”

17. According to Katie Salen, learning to design video games…

1) teaches students to use their imagination.

2) prepares students for their future careers.

3) helps students to make video instructions.

4) motivates students to study bioinformatics.

Ответ: [ ]

18. According to the writer, how well Quest to Learn prepares students for the real life will be known …

1) after students pass their end-of-the-year tests.

2) when new students start the school.

3) after the graduation of the first class of students.

4) when educators and government have approved it.

Ответ: [ ]

9. Прочитайте следующие фрагменты текста и выберите правильные ответы.

1. Whether you’re a first-grader proud of the fact you survived your first year of full-day education or a grad student desperate for a study break, summer vacation means one thing to everybody: sleeping in on weekday mornings. There is no alarm to hit at 6:30 and no bus to chase after. And while days might be filled with summer jobs and day camp, those never seem to start quite as early.

What does the author like about summer holidays?

1) She works at a day camp.

2) She can have a summer job.

3) She has no school.

4) She does not have to get up early.

Ответ: [ ]

2. So why is there a conspiracy working against students the minute the final bell rings and the last exam is turned in? And the culprit is visible in any given apartment complex, condo community or public park: landscapers.

I have lived in many towns and in homes of different shapes and sizes in my short, 23 years on Earth. And yet, no matter where I call home, I am faced with the same hardship: trying to sleep in on lazy, summer mornings while the lawn mowers are hard at work on public and private yards.

What is the author complaining about mentioning the landscapers?

1) The quality of their work.

2) The noise they make.

3) The plants they tend to.

4) The size of the yards.

Ответ: [ ]

3. The townhouse neighborhood I called home when I was a little girl was a jam-packed street. We had more than 250 houses on my block alone. One of the things my mom loved about that house was its tiny yard.

My mother does not have a green bone in her body. She has killed every herb garden my sister and I have ever given her. So my mother was thrilled that our front yard was the size of a postage stamp. It, like every other yard on the block, only needed to be trimmed once a month to look good. And yet, every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m., the city-contracted landscaping team would drive down our street and unload two or three industrial mowers and go to work on the little patches of public grass around mail boxes and trees.

The phrase “does not have a green bone in her body” in paragraph 5 (“My mother does not have a green bone in her body”) is closest in meaning to …

1) “is not good at gardening”.

2) “does not eat greens”.

3) “does not look after her garden”.

4) “hates planting flowers”.

Ответ: [ ]

*10. Составьте вопрос с четырьмя ответами к следующему фрагменту. и выделите правильный вариант. ^I

I am not so selfish that I don’t understand why mowers work in the morning. Landscapers have multiple customers to serve on any given day, and the earlier they start the earlier they can be done. Plus, it is cooler in the morning, and preferable, rather than at noon when the sun is high in the sky. But students work hard all year and look forward to a break from books, tests and alarm clocks.

So, in order to find a common ground between landscapers and students, I send this challenge out into the universe: whoever can build a silent lawn mower will get my undying gratitude, love and affection and whatever else they want, I promise!

Полезные советы

• Помните, что в неверном варианте ответа могут быть использованы те же слова и упомянуты те же события/явления, что и в тексте.

• Обращайте внимание на мелкие детали: неверные ответы могут содержать иную грамматическую форму или незначительно измененную информацию.

• Если вы не уверены, что выбранный вами вариант ответа правильный, определите те варианты, которые явно являются неправильными и вычеркните их. Если у вас остаётся выбор из двух вариантов, то положитесь на интуицию и выберите ответ.

Как увеличить эффективность и скорость чтения

Потренируйтесь в применении этих приёмов в ходе подготовки к экзамену

• Используйте карандаш во время чтения. Это помогает тренировать глаза.

• Читайте только те слова, которые несут смысл: существительные, глаголы, прилагательные, местоимения, наречия. Не обращайте внимания на артикли, предлоги, союзы, междометия. Подчеркните существительные и глаголы, затем прочитайте их опять. Практикуйтесь до тех пор, пока вы автоматически не будете читать только слова, несущие смысл. К словам, несущим смысл, относятся также имена собственные, даты, отрицания.

• Прочитайте текст, обращая внимание только на структуру предложения: подлежащее, сказуемое, дополнение. Игнорируйте определения и обстоятельства образа действия.

• Не вчитываясь в детали, отметьте карандашом связующие слова, например “с одной стороны”, “подводя итог”, “однако” и т. д. Практикуйтесь до тех пор, пока вы при чтении абзаца не будете видеть связующие слова автоматически.

• Прочитайте текст, обращая внимание на союзы в предложениях, определите их роль для понимания текста.

• Прочитайте текст быстро, обращая внимание на отрицания. Они могут быть выражены как грамматически, так и лексически. Отрицания играют большую роль в понимании смысла текста. Невнимание к ним может привести к ошибкам.

• Прочитайте только первые фразы каждого абзаца, они дают общее представление о содержании текста.

• Прочитайте только последнюю фразу каждого абзаца. Определите, помогает ли она вам спрогнозировать содержание следующего абзаца.

• Прочитайте текст, игнорируя незнакомые слова. Если вы останавливаетесь на словах, которых не знаете, это замедляет скорость чтения.

• Прочитайте весь текст, обращая внимание только на глаголы. Это поможет вам понять, меняется ли содержание текста. Более того, глаголы обычно вводят новую информацию в предложение.

• Закройте левую или правую часть текста, пробегите глазами оставшийся для обзора текст, попытайтесь уловить основную идею текста.

• Прочитайте предложение быстро слева направо. Когда вы научитесь читать его довольно быстро, попытайтесь прочитать его с той же скоростью справа налево и опять слева направо и т. д.

• Каждое предложение текста обычно содержит информацию, которая относится к предыдущему предложению (начало предложения), и новую информацию (конец предложения). Прочитайте быстро только концы предложений абзаца. Можете ли вы определить новую информацию?

• С помощью карандаша, который находится всё время в центре текста и передвигается по вертикали текста, заставьте свои глаза двигаться быстро по вертикали по каждую сторону от карандаша.

• Быстро пробегите глазами текст, сначала по вертикали, затем по диагонали. Сделайте так несколько раз.

• Пробегите глазами текст в разных направлениях: снизу вверх, сверху вниз, по диагонали, вертикали, горизонтали. Время от времени останавливайтесь, а затем вновь читайте. Это поможет вам не читать каждое слово отдельно, а вначале воспринимать текст блоками (абзацами), и затем как единую структуру (целостный текст).

Тренируемся в выполнении заданий 12—18

Вариант 1

From the history of social networks

The history of social networks goes back to cavemen who posted up on their walls the best places to hunt and gather and shared what types of tools were good for different things. Speaking about modern times, reaching people around the world with a click is not a dream anymore, and it is an essential part of our daily life.

We could say that 1971, when the first e-mail was sent, is the starting point of this new way of communication. Qwertyuiop was the first text sent with an e-mail, it is usually the top line of a keyboard and the longest word you can make out of it is “typewriter”. We may wonder if it could be a peculiar coincidence. In 1978, BBS exchanged data over phone lines. BBS — the Bulletin Board System was a computer system running software that allowed users to connect and log in to the system using a special programme. Once logged in, a user could perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging messages with other users personally or publicly. Originally they were accessed only over a phone line using a modem. Bulletin Board Systems were in many ways a precursor to the modern form of the World Wide Web, social network services and other aspects of the Internet.

As the next step, in 1994 GEOCITIES was founded. It is one of the first social networking sites. In its original form, site users selected a “city” in which to place their web pages. The cities were named after the real ones or other regions according to their content (computer related sites were placed in Silicon Valley and entertainment sites were assigned to Hollywood). Later, the platform created streets, avenues and even separate buildings as the information there got more specific.

The year 1997 marked the appearance of AOL instant messenger and Sixdegrees.com. The latter was a social network website that lasted four years. It allowed users to list friends, family members and users while external contacts were invited to join the site. It was first manifestation of social networking websites as we know them today, especially because with it instant messaging programmes were gaining more and more popularity among web users who started to get used to personal profile creations and listing friends.

At the beginning of our century Friendster was launched, with a user-base growing up to 3 million people within the first three months of its existence. Friendster has become especially popular in Southeast Asia and even today it is a major site in that region of the world. The service allowed users to share online content and media with their contacts. The website was also used for dating, discovering new events, bands and hobbies. Users could share videos, photos, messages and comments with other members via their profile and network. Since then numerous clones of this site have appeared, including MySpace and certainly Facebook, opened to any aged 13 or more with a valid mailing address.

We have all witnessed how far social networking has seeped into our daily life, with news broadcasters calling Tweet views or appointments being made over Linkedln. Examining the fascinating history of social media leads to just one conclusion — unpredictability will continue to reign. No one can possibly foretell which platforms will stay in favour and which ones will be rejected and when the next breakthrough will happen, particularly when the social networks themselves have become such influential brands.

12. What idea is NOT expressed in the first paragraph?

1) Cavemen were dreaming of modern social media.

2) Ancient people tried to pass the information down.

3) Online communication has been developing quickly.

4) Most people use online communication every day.

Ответ: [ ]

13. What is “qwertyuiop»? (paragraph 2)

1) It’s the word “typewriter” misspelled.

2) It’s an old type of a computer keyboard.

3) It’s the random text in the first e-mail.

4) It’s the first e-mail system people used.

Ответ: [ ]

14. What is NOT listed as a user function of BBS in the text?

1) Exchanging software.

2) Creating newsletters.

3) Learning about events.

4) Socializing with other users.

Ответ: [ ]

15. The GEOCITIES platform got such a name because …

1) its structure reminded a geographical map.

2) only people from certain cities could use it.

3) it copied mail communication around the globe.

4) it was initially started in Silicon Valley.

Ответ: [ ]

16. According to the text, what was special about Sixdegrees.com?

1) It closed down after a short period of time.

2) People could find new contacts there.

3) It was a good place for family communication.

4) It helped people master certain functions.

Ответ: [ ]

17. According to the text, what is TRUE about Friendster?

1) Asian people didn’t find it attractive.

2) It helped many people get married.

3) Facebook used it as its prototype.

4) You can use it only if you are 13.

Ответ: [ ]

18. What does the author think about the future of the social media?

1) They will get even more followers than now.

2) It’s hard to tell what will happen with them.

3) People will try to give them up completely.

4) They will become people’s favourite pastime

Ответ: [ ]

Вариант 2

Music saves the globe

Climate change is now widely recognized as the major environmental problem facing the globe. Global warming and climate change are important and controversial topics. They have raised strong feelings on both sides of the debate. Where do you stand?

As many psychologists put it, music is an effective tool for raising awareness, expressing emotions and prompting action. Many musicians all over the world are very conscious of the environment so think about these top songs about climate change. The songs are both new and old, fast and slow, funny and serious, by the famous and the unknown. What unites them is that the singers care and worry about the future of our planet.

If we had a chart of these songs, number one would certainly be “Saltwater” by Julian Lennon. This song has been around for a while — I remember my now- adult kids singing it at a primary school concert in the 90s. In his introduction at the concert, Julian says, “We knew about hunger and so many other things. But there’s a lot of things that we weren’t told as Joe Public about what we’re doing wrong. And unfortunately that sort of information has only been given to us over the last couple of years, really. And that’s why the song was written … This affects me. It makes me feel really sad. I’m going to do my own little bit when I can.”

One more great hit is “Where We Going to Go” by David Todd. It has been written to help people become aware what may happen to the planet if global warming is not curtailed. David is a talented singer, songwriter, musician who is concerned about the future of the planet. He is not a professional musician and does not perform publicly therefore very little is known about him. In fact, he has a talent many desire and few achieve. He has written many beautiful songs which are greatly appreciated by his family and friends. However, experts challenge David’s opinion. They say, “Global warming is not happening. Climate change is. But guess what, it’s been happening for billions of years. There’s nothing we can do about it so stop thinking the human race can control nature and preserve what climate WE think is best.”

Number three is surely “I Need to Wake Up” by Melissa Etheridge. This song was used in the well-known documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” which puts the problem this way — humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If the vast majority of the world’s scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tailspin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced.

I would also have to name “The Last Day on Earth” by Kate Miller-Heidke but it is practically impossible to understand if this song is about the planet or relationships. Is it about the need to care for the environment? The consequences of global warming? Relationships and lost love? The tragic death of a loved one? I wonder what your thoughts are. And of course we should not forget “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson. Like many people I think Michael Jackson’s music still speaks to us.

So include some of this staff into your playlist and enjoy some high-quality music which inspires you to think and live green!

12. What does the author say of top songs about climate change?

1) They show different attitudes of the singers.

2) They vary greatly in age and style.

3) They all have become major hits worldwide.

4) They are pessimistic about the future of the planet.

Ответ: [ ]

13. What is meant by “Joe Public” in paragraph 3?

1) A journalist’s name.

2) The concert audience.

3) Primary school kids.

4) Ordinary people.

Ответ: [ ]

14. What did Julian Lennon try to express in his speech?

1) Everyone should contribute to saving our planet.

2) He feels depressed most of the time.

3) We should learn more about environmental problems.

4) Climate change affects everybody.

Ответ: [ ]

15. The word “curtailed” in paragraph 4 means …

1) “written about”.

2) “stopped”.

3) “continued”.

4) “cared for”.

Ответ: [ ]

16. According to the text, what is TRUE about David Todd?

1) He is a gifted musician.

2) He is supported by environmental experts.

3) He thinks we shouldn’t worry about climate change.

4) He has a small group of fans.

Ответ: [ ]

17. The song “I Need to Wake Up” …

1) is about a nuclear bomb.

2) cites some top scientists.

3) is about natural disasters.

4) was used in a film.

Ответ: [ ]

18. It can be concluded that the author …

1) enjoys listening to popular music.

2) thinks people should care about the environment.

3) has many questions about the climate change problem.

4) believes people will be able to solve environmental problems.

Ответ: [ ]

Рефлексия

1. Помог ли вам представленный в данной теме материал лучше понять содержание и структуру заданий 12—18 раздела “Чтение”?

2. Что было легко/трудно в усвоении темы?

3. Что было полезным?

4. Что вы усвоили, чему научились, что сумеете выполнить самостоятельно?

5. Что осталось неясным?

Научились, умеем, усвоили

1. Усвоили алгоритм выполнения заданий 12—18 раздела “Чтение”.

2. Научились выполнять эти задания.

3. Умеем применять следующие стратегии:

• извлекать из текста полную и точную информацию:

— ключевые слова;

— важные детали;

— аргументы;

— примеры;

• отделять главную информацию от второстепенной;

• игнорировать незнакомые слова;

• игнорировать ненужную информацию.

Источник

Nowadays, one can no longer imagine how to catch up with friends and contacts without social networking. Social networking helped us become closer to our friends, even when they are a thousand miles away. Through the World Wide Web, we are able to connect with people from around the world, making it easy to keep in touch with friends and family. Social networking now is a billion dollar industry, but we can barely remember when it didn’t exist.

You might also like to read about the history of Adobe Photoshop, Apple, Web Forms, Google Doodles, or Online Shopping.

Let’s take a trip back in time and discover the history of social networking, and how it grew, one step at a time. Later in the article you will also see the history of internet and how social networks can help you succeed.

Table of Contents:

Social Networking as we know it today
History Of Social Networking: Early Beginnings
The Future of Social Networking
Wayback Machine – History of Internet
How To Grow as a Designer by Building Your Own Network
3 Reasons Why Web Designers And Developers Must Learn Online Marketing
The Rise Of Facebook: Path to World Domination

Today, social networking is an essential part of life for people from around the world. Social networking is a form of social media, used for either interactive, educational, informational or entertaining purposes. Social media comes in many forms, but all of them are related: blogs, forums, podcasts, photo sharing, social bookmarking, widgets, video, just to name a few.

Today, social networking websites allow users to make profiles, upload photos and videos, and interact with friends and family. Social networking is a tool to join groups, learn about latest news and events, play games, chat and to share music and video. The top social networking sites of today are: MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

Image by Svilen001

History Of Social Networking: Early Beginnings

People always want to communicate with other people. People used to just visit the people they wanted to see. The longer the distance, the harder it was to communicate.

Throughout history, people came up with various ways of communicating: through post, pigeons, telegraph, light signals and telephone. Getting responses a few hundred years ago meant waiting for months or a year. Thankfully humans never stopped looking for a faster method to communication. The 20th century brought us the internet.

Social networking was born one day in 1971, when the first email was sent. The two computers were sitting right next to each other. The message said “qwertyuiop’.

In 1978, the BBS–or Bulletin Board System, was created. The BBS hosted on personal computers, where users need to dial in via the modem of a host computer, and exchanging data through phone lines to other users. The BBS was the first system that lets users interact with one another through the internet. It was slow, but it was a good start, and only one user could log in at a time.

Later that year, the very first web browsers were distributed using Usenet, the earliest online bulletin board of the time. Usenet was created by Jim Ellis & Tom Truscott, where users posted news, articles and funny posts. Unlike the BBS and forums, Usenet did not have a ‘central server’. This concept soon inspired the ‘Groups’ feature we know today; such as Yahoo! Groups, Google Groups and Facebook Groups.The first ever version of instant messaging was around 1988, called IRC or Internet Relay Chat. IRC was Unix-based then, and thus exclusive only to a few people. IRC was used for communications, as well as link and fire sharing. Soon the earliest copies of web browsers were distributed via Usenet.

The First Social Networking Site

In 1994, the first social networking site was created, Geocities. Geocities allowed the users to create and customize their own web sites, grouping them into different ‘cities’ based on the site’s content. The following year, TheGlobe.com launched to public, giving users the ability to interact with people who have the same hobbies and interests, and to publish their own content.

A few years later, AOL Instant Messenger and SixDegrees.com launched in 1997. Instant messaging was born, giving users the freedom to chat with friends, and create a profile. AOL was probably the true precursor to today’s social networking sites. The member profiles allowed its users to write a biography and share details about themselves. The profiles were searchable so people could look your profile up. It was the most innovative feature at that time.

Other sites followed suit, creating social networking sites such as Classmates, Friendzy, Hi-5, just to name a few. Many were dating sites, while some were more niche driven. For example, Classmates allowed users to reconnect with old classmates, pals, bullies and crushes. It was a hit immediately, and today Classmates still has some 40,000,000 registered users.

SixDegrees.com is one of the earliest social networking sites, but did not gain the same success. The idea is based on the theory that people are separated by no more than six degrees from one another. It also allowed users to create profiles, make groups, search and invite friends. However, they encouraged members to invite more people to the site and had too many membership drives. Many people complained that the membership invitations were spam, filling up their websites with junk. It was sold in 2001 for $125 million but completely shut down the year after.

Image by Svilen001

Other niche-driven sites are AsianAvenue–established in 1997. By 1999, BlackPlanet was established and in 2000, MiGente.com for Hispanic servers. In the mid-1990s, the internet was at its full force. Yahoo! was established and Amazon had begun selling books. Every household was getting a PC. The World Wide Web showed no signs of slowing down.

New Millenium: New Era in Social Networking

The first modern social networking site that we define today is Friendster. It also uses the degree of separation concept similar to SixDegrees, but dubbed it ‘Circle of Friends’. Friendster was basically a dating site that wasn’t all about dating. In the first 3 months, Friendster was able to amass 3,000,000 users. This means 1 in 126 web users were Friendster members at the time.

Social Networking went to maturity stage upon the launching of Friendster.

Soon MySpace followed suit, who cloned Friendster. It was launched after only 10 days of coding. It soon became more popular than Friendster. MySpace gave users more freedom than Friendster when it came to customization; with music, videos and a hipper online environment. It garnered 90 million registered users–and even if it is no longer the top networking site in the world, it is still a favorite in the USA. The glory days of Friendster have passed, and its popularity is now surpassed by MySpace and Facebook. Today most of Friendster’s traffic comes from Asia, especially Indonesia and the Philippines.

Another site with considerable success is LinkedIn. It was established in 2003, and took a more professional and business approach to social networking. Other sites focused on getting dates, having friends, and reuniting with old classmates, but LinkedIn focused on building business contacts and professionals. Today LinkedIn has 30 million registered members.

Facebook came into the social networking scene a little bit later. It was launched in 2004, and the primary intent was to connect US college students. Facebook first began with Mark Zuckerberg’s alma mater Harvard. At first it was exclusive, and you could only join in if you had been invited by a member of Facebook. The ‘exclusive’ feature proved to be a success, and in its first month, over half of the 19,500 Harvard students signed up. Two years later, the campus-only networking site became open to the public. In 2008, Facebook surpassed MySpace and Friendster as the leading social networking site. It now has over 150 million members around the globe.

The Future of Social Networking

Many people are still speculating about the future of social networking. Will it be the ultimate communication tool of the future? Or just like the dot-com crash, will it crash and burn eventually?

Today, there are now almost 600 social networking sites on the Internet (Image from KnowEm)

The economic crisis was bad, closing down many small and large businesses and leaving many people jobless. Nonetheless, it still didn’t stop users from using the internet, and new sites are still launched today. But how about the people’s interests? It is true that most networking sites may seem promising and fun at first, but soon the fad cools down and people start to get bored.

Today’s social networking sites are like yesterday’s front page headlines. Most of us now get news and information through the internet–especially the younger generation. Social networking has become very mobile, from our PCs to our smart phones. Thus social networking has become more ‘intrusive’. Do we really want to know what your office mate had for breakfast at Subway or your third degree cousin just lost her car keys?

Will Facebook still be the king of social networking? That, we cannot be sure of. Just last year Google made efforts with making its own social networking site, which became very boring and very empty. As of this writing Facebook already has over 600 million active users. But many people suggest that social networking is more of a fad, something that we will get tired of, and will soon switch to a newer site soon enough. In five years time, Facebook might be replaced by a newer web site–or it might be the only one. The thing is, the future is very hard to predict, especially for social media. The scope and environment of social networking is highly unpredictable, determined by users’ online actions and behaviors.

We have seen the history of social networks, but did you ever wondered about the history of the internet? If you did, then you just have to read the next section.

Wayback Machine – History of Internet

For this time I wanted to share one more fun site. This website is building a digital library of Internet sites and other digital form resources. As for me – this resource page caught my interest, because in 1998 or 2000 I didn’t even know much about Internet – now we have a chance to look how design and web development is evolving. There is 85 billion pages out there.

Just type in a URL in the form and go way back..!

Click on image below or type to go way back – http://www.archive.org/

wayback

For example I wanted to look how apple.com’s design looked years ago:

1996.

1998.

1999.

2000.

2001.

2006.

2007.

And finally modern days..:) Year 2008.

I looked out for google.com site too..:) Interesting to go back to past!

Google in Year 1998

google

You can choose advanced search for specified dates, convert page to PDF, etc.

Hope You will enjoy this one valuable and fun web site.

The history lesson is behind us. As a web designer or even more as a freelancer you have to do a lot of social networking to increase your chances of success. Learn how in the next and few following chapters.

How To Grow as a Designer by Building Your Own Network

Being part of a web design and development community offers you many possibilities and chances for self-development. Each one of us knows about these communities and, at some point in time or another, wished or even was part of one of them. Knowing other individuals in your industry is something I recommend to everybody, as you can get a lot of help from such experts. Communities are not only created around people, but also around offline web design agencies, which give you even a better set of possibilities and a different network that you can use during your career.

Design, development, social media, marketing or blogging (part of the web in general) are industries evolving a lot lately and this will not stop soon. Working by yourself was an option more than five years ago, but today things have changed and many of us have started to outsource in order to finish projects faster and earn more money. Being part of such a network or community can help you develop your skills and bring new people around you. In this article I will talk about why it is important to keep yourself close to these networks and in the end we will take a look at some of the well-known ones as of this period. Moreover, we will see if building your own network is an option.

Image by CubaGallery.

Main asset

A community is important because it brings us all together and this helps us to grow individually and as a group of experts. Fashion, football (and sports in general), computers and other devices – some niches off the top of my head that enjoy large support communities. And we, designers and developers, have that too.

Communities are important and helpful for personal development because they feature tutorials, forums, posts, advice, tips and so on. If you do not have a university degree, there is a high chance that all you know about designing is due to one of these communities. People share their knowledge, often for free. As a famous advertising campaign says, sharing is caring. It seems we all care a lot about each other in this industry.

A good example could be the articles we post here on 1WD. We take our time to write articles for you, while others from the community come and share even more in the comments. This is one of the ways to learn a lot – by reading and interacting with people from your own industry.

The trick of our field is that everything evolves and changes fast. If you don’t pay attention to the trends, you will find yourself knowing too much about old stuff and not enough about what is really important. Spending money all the time on books would be ineffective for us, as many books get renewed and improved two-three times per year, due to the industry advancing so fast. In order to avoid spending so much money, you can always turn your attention to networks and communities on the internet.

If you look at it from another point of view, being part of design communities can get even more helpful. Try to look back and remember how many frameworks, resources and tools you’ve used – many of them provided by these communities. And then try to remember how many of them were free of charge. Now imagine how much time or money you would have to spend to use those things if you needed to develop them yourself or to hire someone to do it for you. And let’s move our attention to the things that are not free. Even the premium resources are delivered very cheap compared to the market price; all this thanks to the design and development communities.

WordPress, Boilerplate, CodeIgniter, Drupal, GIMP, Inkscape – how many times have you used these open-source tools? It may come as a surprise to you, but all of them were developed by these communities at some point or another. Now don’t get me wrong, I am sure WordPress is a money powerhouse today, but looking back in the past, it all started as a community project.

Image by steven w.

And to top it off, communities are helpful at something else as well – and that is probably the most important asset. Getting recommended there happens quite often and outsourcing happens most of the time inside these communities. Only if and after not finding someone suitable, freelancers use third-party websites to search for individuals to work with, otherwise everything starts off from communities like forums or blogs.

Types of networks

All of us can create our own communities or networks, but most of us prefer to use the ones already populated with experts and people with years of experience in the field. If you are a freelancer developing small jQuery sliders, you can offer them on your website, which is likely to bring you some success, or to collaborate with a huge network such as Nettuts, which will probably bring you a lot of referrals and possibly even money.

However, I am sure all of us start from social media. We share lots of interesting links on Facebook and Twitter and it is probably where lone developers or designers start.

Blogs are also considered networks. Not so much personal blogs as the ones related to a specific topic or an industry. 1stWebDesigner is an example. With a blog getting bigger, the community behind it gets bigger as well. All these blogs turned into communities develop side-projects, just as here at 1WD we publish eBooks for Amazon’s Kindle.

Some other popular communities might be forums (CodingForums is hot), social networks, web pages and so on.

What more is in it for you?

I am sure most of you know the answer to this question by now. We talked about advantages a bit earlier. But there is more than just open-source tools and support. You can gain a lot by starting such a community yourself, by creating an application or an open-source tool people can use. By getting involved, others can hear about you and your reputation within the industry will grow as fast as you never experienced before. If you want to build a community, there are some steps you might want to start with – it is usually how everybody starts. It is not a success guaranteed method, but it will aid your cause.

Knowing how to use social media properly will give you a huge advantage over the others. Don’t forget that your short-term goal is to get as many people as you can interested in your product. There is no better way of doing this than using Twitter, Facebook, Digg and the other social sharing giants. Use all these to share links, tips, resources and ask for feedback. Engage the community as this will make a whole buzz around you and it will bring you even more interest.

If you like writing, blogging is also a way to aid your start-up. It doesn’t even have to be a full-time job, but having a blog that you update once or twice per week will keep people interested. Experts advise bloggers to update the content far more often than this, but don’t forget you are not a blogger, rather you are a developer or a designer. Blogging is only a way to help yourself, you don’t look to earn money out of it.

If you are involved in other communities and networks, this will improve your reputation as well. Be involved in as many as you can, talk to people, share their links, interact with them over social media and so on. Getting involved is one of the best ways to get recognized and earn people’s respect.

Image by Doug88888.

I read an article a few months ago about social media strategies. The author mentioned the fact that a retweet is not as effective as when a personal comment is included. It also makes a lot of sense. You need not create articles that are robot sharing, rather you need to add a personal touch to them when sharing. Real popular communities are based on active people who get involved on a professional and personal level, not on social media robots.

If you have knowledge of something worth sharing, don’t keep it to yourself. Be selfless and give advice. Help people if they need it. Offer them tips and show them the right path if you’ve been there before. It is also about earning respect and getting recognized. You might not get much in the short-term, but you will earn a lot in the long-term out of being generous.

If you have your own community, providing tools or services for free will always bring you traffic and referrals. People love free stuff, it is a general and an easy-to-notice behavior. Doing something to improve the communities will bring you appreciation.

Upon providing freebies, you can also create something you sell for a cheap price. This will not only help you earn some money, but it will show your community you also do more quality work – not that free stuff are not of good quality, but there is a reason behind them being free. If you think you can make something that people will pay for, go for it!

Examples of networks

I think we talked a lot about the advantages of joining a community and it should be clear for you that you get much more out of it than out of any other activity on the internet.

Now, let’s take a look at the most popular and well-working web design and development networks. I am sure you heard about most of them, but we recap just for the ones who are new to the industry and look for inspiration.

It is fairly impossible not to start with the Smashing Magazine Network. They are an example of professionalism and represent something that many other communities can only long for. They do not only have blogs about web design, web development, graphics and vectors, but also a job board. Parts of their networks are also sections such as “Coding”, “UX Design” and “WordPress”. They focus on everything a newbie or an expert would like to have knowledge of and this is the place to get inspired if you wish to build your own network some time.
Envato is another great example. The network features many websites related to the topic and, it’s quite impossible not to have heard of, the Tuts+ network. Envato is probably the largest community out there and is built on several smaller communities such as FreelanceSwitch, ThemeForest and PSDTuts. They really talk about everything in the industry and not keeping an eye on them is definitely a mistake for an individual interested in the web.
One Mighty Roar is a bit smaller than the others – they are actually in their beginning phase, but they become more popular day by day. Their smaller community called “Build Internet” is a web development blog and is where it all started. After the huge success they had, One Mighty Roar opened their own offline web development agency.
Fuel Brand Network is the last example in this list. It is a network composed of several smaller web pages about coding, blogging and others. They are all under the same visual identity, but with a different color, and have a lovely overall brand.

Bottom line

There are clear advantages not only from building your own network, but also from being part of ones that already exist on the internet. Creating such a powerful community is not easy, not anybody can pull off such a huge task. The examples above show that the ones who actually manage to do it, do not only help themselves, but tens of thousands of designers and developers all over the world.

I am sure being able to provide help and resources to so many people gives you a pleasant feeling of personal fulfillment and earns you a lot of respect from others.

Even if you do not think you are able to build your own network, it is definitely worth joining some others and helping people there. The truth is that an individual needs huge resources to be able to build and maintain such a community and not everybody has them. If after this article you think even of just being part of a design or development network and contributing as much as possible, then my goal is achieved.

Until next time… are you part of online communities? Have you ever thought of building your own, or you just want to help others using networks already established? Which do you think are the challenges of building such a community?

The next section will present to you 3 main reasons why you as a web designer, should learn social marketing. Ready for your next adventure? Let’s start then.

3 Reasons Why Web Designers And Developers Must Learn Online Marketing

I’ve interviewed quite a few successful web designers and developers over the last couple of months. One thing that they all seem to have in common is that they took time to learn about online marketing and have built a strong online presence. This made me wonder, why don’t more people do the same thing? I think that if you are a web designer or a developer who understands, and implements, online marketing, you not only have a tremendous advantage over your competition, but also a realistic shot of creating a very nice lifestyle over a couple of years. Why?

When you are not only good at your craft, but also good at online marketing, that combination of skill and knowledge allows you to do three things:

1. Get more clients

Let me share with you one of my own experiences.

I’m not a web designer myself, so when I realized that I will need a landing page for my website in order to build an e-mail list, I went to one of the freelance job boards and posted a job.

I got a lot of responses straight away.

Here’s an excerpt from a real bid on that project:

“I am a freelancer web Designer with having more than five year experience in Website designs, HTML, XHTML, Web2.0, J-Query, HTML5, Layout , W3c Standard, CSS , I phone & Android UI Design, environment with projects involving Requirement gathering, High level design, low level design, e-commerce, Maganto, Joomla Home page Design and theme integration.”

That sounds awesome, right? Wrong!

The problem is that the person making this bid doesn’t understand me (the client) at all. I want to build an online business, but I don’t know a thing about web design, therefore I’m looking for a web designer to do it for me. Who is more likely to get the job:

A web designer who talks about HTML5, jQuery and W3C Standards.
A web designer who talks about conversion rates, e-mail list and sales.

I really don’t care about “HTML, XHTML, Web2.0, jQuery, HTML5, Layout , W3C Standards, CSS , iPhone & Android UI Design.” In fact, I don’t even know what most of these words mean. However, when it comes to conversion rates and building an e-mail list…. THAT’S what I’m interested in!

You might think that it’s only me, but really, most people who hire web designers are like that.

Ramit Sethi is the guy who, among other things (such as writing a NYT bestselling book and running a popular blog), has helped thousands of people all over the world earn money via freelancing.

Here are his thoughts on the topic:

“Most people focus on features.

They say: “Here’s what you get with my web design service: you get a hosting account, you get ten pages design, you get this, you get that”.

Well…the client doesn’t care!

What do the clients want fundamentally? They want to make more money, they want to get more clients, they want to spend less time, they just want it handled. You can find this out by talking to them and doing research.

This is where you start doing your homework. You figure out what it is that they want and use it to present your services as a benefit. So, instead of saying “You get 10 web pages”, you say: “Look, my goal is to help you increase the number of subscribers by 25%” or, better yet, “My goal is to help you increase the revenue by 15%”. That is a benefit. Nobody cares about how many pages it is, or how much time you’re going to spend on it or what software you’ll use. They don’t care about all that. They want more money, more clients, in less time. Focus on what THEY want, not what you want.”

The point is that most clients who hire web designers hire them for business reasons. Consequently, if you want to impress those clients, you have to present them with solutions that will help them achieve their business goals. This is why you need to understand online marketing.

There are loads and loads of web designers who can make pretty websites. There are very few web designers who know how to get their clients more sales.

Who do you think will be able to get better clients and charge higher rates?

Exactly.

2. Build your brand

The biggest headache for freelancers all over the world is the “How to get paying clients?” issue. Think about it: wouldn’t it be nice if clients would come to you, ready to pay whatever you’re asking?

This is not some fantasy from the unicorn land, this is reality for people who have built strong personal brands.

Okay, so how do you build a personal brand online?

Here’s a summary of the process:

You build a popular blog
You build a decent social media following
You do all kinds of “extra-curricular” activities such as speaking in conferences, etc.

Note: These are only the key points, the process is much more complicated than that, it requires a lot of business knowledge and perseverance.

All of that helps you to do two things:

Establish yourself as an expert
Get a lot of exposure

What happens when people need to get work done and they see someone who is a recognized expert in that particular field?

They want to hire that person.

It takes a lot of time and effort to build a personal brand, but the payoff is well worth it. Time is going to pass anyway, right?

However, you probably won’t be able to do that without decent online marketing knowledge, because “write good stuff and they’ll come” simply doesn’t work anymore with so many people writing good stuff. You have to know the rules of the game in order to win it.

I suggest you watch the TED talk “Building a personal brand” by Jacob Cass to see how helpful it can be to have a strong online presence.

3. Earn extra income

When you are a freelancer, you know that unexpected things happen, and it’s wise to do everything to make yourself as financially secure as possible. One of the best things you can do is to diversify your streams of income between client work and passive income. I love this excerpt from the interview with Sacha Greif who made over $15 000 from selling his e-book online:

“However, in general, having a source of passive income is important. It’s a must-have for me, because if you’re freelancer, you don’t have much job security. It’s hard to plan for the future without a safety net of some sort. Also, if you’re taking a holiday, or just stopping work for a couple of months, it’s nice to have an additional source of income that keeps going, even if it’s very small, even if it’s a few hundred dollars a month. At least it can cover your food bill or your rent, you know.

It’s important for me personally (although it’s not the only way to do it, you can be very successful without any sort of passive income). I don’t want to say that every designer needs a passive income source, because people would complain if I did, but personally, I think that it’s important.”

It’s really not that hard to create a small stream of passive income when you are already perceived as an expert in your field and have a decent online following. There are a lot of different monetization options, such as creating and selling your own products, selling products made by other people (affiliate marketing) or simply displaying ads on your site.

Wouldn’t it be nice to still have money coming in even when you are not working?

However, keep in mind that passive income aren’t as passive as some people picture it to be, because you have to first put a lot of time and efforts into creating a product and then put a lot of efforts into marketing it and selWling it.

Don’t make these mistakes

There are a lot of people who set out to build an online business. Most of them fail. Sorry, that’s the harsh reality. However, the question is why do they fail?

Here are two of the most common reasons:

1. They underestimate the time and effort required to achieve desired results

In most cases, people get into this expecting to be rolling in the dough in a month or two, which is completely delusional. No wonder they give up in less than six months.

You might have noticed that I’ve mentioned hard work and time quite a few times in this article. Most likely it will take you six to twelve months to gain momentum with your blog and social media following. Once you gain that momentum, you can start thinking about monetizing it in some way. It’s very realistic to build a successful online business in two or three years, however, please be aware of what you’re getting yourself into!

2. They think that it’s enough to be good at their craft

In order to be a successful baker, you have to be good at baking, but in order to run a successful bakery, you need to be good at business first, baking second. Are you following me?

It’s not enough to be a good web designer in order to run a successful web design blog or to sell a lot of copies of your e- book. Yes, sure, you have to know what you’re talking about. However, if no one is listening, it doesn’t matter how genius your ideas are, duh. Want to make money online? Study online marketing.

I’d say that if you have realistic expectations for how much time and efforts it will require, as well as willing to study online marketing and learn the trade, you’re very likely to succeed in building an online business.

Where to start?

Okay, so now you’re probably thinking that it would be kind of cool to learn more about that online marketing stuff, but aren’t sure where to start.

The good news is that you can learn the most important things for free, since there are so many websites that publish free articles on the topic.

However, the problem that new people in the field face is that most of what’s written about online marketing is total BS, which makes it kind of hard to separate nonsenses from legitimate material.

I can solve this problem for you.

It’s really not hard to learn the basics. Read a blog post or two a day. Listen to a podcast while jogging. Attend a webinar now and then. You will be surprised how fast you’re learning without even spending a dime on it. Then, go and apply what you’ve learned.

Who knows, maybe two or three years from now you could run your own online business?

Remember, time will pass anyway, so use it wisely.

Your turn!

Okay, guys, so now I want to hear from you:

Do you agree that web designers and developers should take time to learn online marketing?
Or do you think that learning online marketing would be a waste of time?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

To end this article we will look at how Facebook became so powerful.

The Rise Of Facebook: Path to World Domination

Facebook. The social media masterpiece all of us, more or less, use for personal or business reasons. Facebook is considered to, again, more or less rule the internet. This social media monster bringing in clients and prospects to companies, it’s a great tool for businesses and freelancers alike. Facebook will attract one seventh of the World’s population by the end 2012. Everything you would like to have in social media featured by one single company, on a single web page, having a single descriptive word to be assigned yet: dominant.

I am aware of the fact that you can use it, know its basic features and know what it can do for you. I will discuss statistics and show how Facebook went from a “garage-born” company to a World giant dominating in the web.

Image by jdlasica.

Facebook’s stock market launch is $10 billion, 6 times bigger than its closest competitor; you may have heard of them: Google. With Facebook likely to be valued at around $100 billion, this would make it bigger than Disney, Amazon, HP, Cisco Systems and McDonald’s. You’ve heard of those five as well, all founded many years before Zuckerberg was even thinking of applying to Harvard. Between Google, Microsoft, Yahoo! and Facebook, although only 4th in 2011 by the daily number of visitors, Facebook holds a well-deserved first place in ad revenue. Facebook had by the end of 2011 a projected revenue of $4.2 Billion. Well, although Apple made that amount in three weeks, it is still impressive for a company that doesn’t sell products, but only advertising space.

Investments

Different people and companies invested money in Facebook rise at various stages in it’s lifetime – all of their investments paid off. Here are some statistics which are almost one year old, meaning the value of their investments is actually higher today. Below you can see the name of the company or the persons, how much and when the investment was made and how much it was worth by June 2011. Unfortunately not all the valuations are known, so we will just name the investments and periods.

Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman (2004) – $500K – $10 Million
Accel Partners, Mark Pincus, Reid Hoffman (2005) – $12.7 Million – $100 Million
Greylock Partners, Meritech Capital Partners, The Founders Fund (2006) – $27.5 Million – $2 Billion
Microsoft (2007) – $240 Million – $15 Billion
Li Ka-shing (2007) – $60 Million – ?
Europeans Founder Fond (2008) – $15 Million – ?
Li Ka-shing (2008) – $60 Million – ?
Triple Point Capital (2008) – $100 Million – ?
Digital Sky Technologies (2009) – $200 Million – $10 Billion
Elevation Partners (2010) – $120 Million – $35 Billion
Goldman Sachs, Digital Sky Technologies (2011) – $1.5 Billion – $50 Billion

Now let’s move on to the “population” of Facebook, almost three times bigger than the population of the United States. Around 80% of the users on Facebook are from outside the US. Looking at the number of internet users vs. Facebook users from all the World’s regions can even give you goosebumps:

North America: 272 million internet users – 168 million Facebook users
Latin America: 215 million internet users – 115 million Facebook users
Europe: 476 million internet users – 279 million Facebook users
Asia: 922 million internet users – 153 million Facebook users
Africa: 119 million internet users – 31 million Facebook users
Middle East: 69 million internet users – 16 million Facebook users
Australia: 21 million internet users – 13 million Facebook users

The statistics are from 2011, so the number of internet users and Facebook users has increased a bit since then. If Facebook is able to dominate Asia as they dominate the other regions, they will probably reach 1.5 Billion users in few years.

Zuckerberg and his history

None of this would have been possible without the work of Facebook’s co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Born in 1984, today he is the richest 28 year old in the world and the youngest billionaire. He can speak five languages and dropped out of Harvard to head for Silicon Valley and run Facebook. He still attends board meetings in sandals and had business cards entitled “I’m CEO b***h”. Quite the rebel for such a successful business man. He owns 24% of Facebook and at Facebook’s valuation of $100B, this would mean $24 Billion in his pocket if the company was sold.

The online display ad revenue is another hot one for Facebook, owner of 17.7% of the whole market, with Yahoo! following in at 13.1%. Google is third with 9.3%, while Microsoft comes in fourth with 4.9%. Multiple other companies altogether own 55% of the market.

Financial growth and power

Looking at Facebook’s valuation throughout time, it is incredible how the Palo Alto company grew so much, from nothing to $10 Billion in eight short years. In 2004 it was only worth a few thousand dollars and was limited to Harvard undergrads. Only five months after its release Zuckerberg rejected a $10 Million offer from Friendster after Peter Thiel, PayPal co-founder, invests half a million dollars in the social media company. Facebook had already started to attract the attention of internet experts.

One year later the company was valued at around $100 Million after getting $12.7 million in funding from Accel Partners. Another year passes and Facebook rejects a $750 million acquisition offer and raises $2 billion from investors. In April 2006 Facebook is reported to be valued at around $525 million. One year later Yahoo! offers to buy the company for $1 billion, but the offer is declined. Although Facebook declines the accurate estimate of the investment worth, Microsoft raises $240 million for Facebook by the end of 2007.

After Facebook started to refuse more investing in the company, the value plummeted from $4 billion to half of it. After a short period Facebook starts to raise funds again from different investors and its value reached $9.75 billion by November 2009 and to more than $10 billion as of today.

If you think Facebook is just a money making machine for its founders and investors, you are in for a big surprise. Europe and the European Union have a lot to thank Facebook for. Zuckerberg’s company adds an estimate of more than $15 billion Euros to the European economy. Facebook’s activity and platforms support 36,000 jobs in Germany, 35,000 jobs in the UK, 34,000 in Italy, 22,000 in France, 20,000 in Spain and 5,000 in Ireland. Facebook creates jobs and has a powerful economic impact on the countries above and some others.

User behavior

Ten percent of all the pictures uploaded on Facebook are profile pictures. Women tend to change them every other week, while men every third week. Every year users upload more and more photos on Facebook. The number of uploaded pictures per year for each user has tripled since 2006.

130 friends is the average number of friends a person has on Facebook. The main reasons behind sending a friend request to somebody are knowing him/her in real life, having mutual friends, being part of the same business network and being physically attracted to him/her. Seven percent of people say they just add everybody they see on Facebook without any reason.

While adding friends gives us some obvious conclusions, removing friends comes with some surprises. 55% of the people who remove friends do it because of offensive comments and 41% because they don’t know the person well enough. Lack of interaction, depressing comments, trying to sell something, political comments or updating the profile too often are some other reasons behind people removing friends from Facebook.

While men tend to use Facebook for career/networks and dating, women usually sign up on Facebook to receive coupons, offers and give positive feedback.

Believe it or not, Facebook depression is something true and easy to notice. People with more friends tend to write longer updates, talk less about their families and are less emotional overall. The time of the day usually has a huge influence on how positive or negative the updates are. Between 9 AM and 2PM negative updates rise. At around 6 PM positive updates reach a daytime low. During the afternoon most of the updates are negative still. The statistics reach a scary conclusion: only during the early morning most of the updates are positive. As a matter of fact, positive emotions get lower and negatives get higher as the day passes by.

Half of Facebook’s user database logs in daily and usually comment more on negative updates. Positive updates usually receive less comments.

The users in Australia spend the most time on Facebook per month, around 6 hours and 52 minutes. USA comes in second with 6 hours and 9 minutes, UK is third with two minutes less per month. This is an average of 10 to 14 minutes per day per user.

Almost half of the users between 18 and 34 check their Facebook first thing in the morning, some of them even from their smartphones before getting out of bed. In the US “Facebook” was for the second year in a row in 2011 the most searched word on Google, with 2.11% out of all the searches. “Facebook.com” was also searched by many users, placing fifth in 2010. All Facebook-related searches on Google accounted 3.48% of all the searches in the US in 2010.

But why?

Now that was enough statistics. You can find even more by reading the infographics I included in this article. I am sure some of you still ask yourselves why is Facebook more or less dominating the internet? And while I am not sure I hold the right answer, here is my view on the topic.

I think Facebook is so popular because it is the only web page out there that meets our needs and demands. Whether we like it or not, Facebook helps us communicate more – not better, just more…and quicker. Interacting on Facebook is definitely much easier than calling someone. Moreover, it allows users to only be contacted when they want – if they do not have time for friends, they can just avoid checking Facebook. A person calling you can’t be avoided forever, but a Facebook wall post can be avoided as long as the user wishes to.

The capability of presenting ourselves as we want to be seen, not as we actually are, is something else that attracts people, especially the younger users. Many teenagers and college students look up to stars and actors and wish to have their lives. On Facebook it is possible. Just get a grip of Photoshop and edit your pictures so that you look younger, more beautiful and basically, perfect – manipulate them so that everybody who will see them (on Facebook obviously) will like and comment. You know you are lying to everybody – that is not the real you, but you still do it. It pleases you. It boosts your ego – and who doesn’t enjoy that?

In a way, Facebook is like Apple – the only difference is that one sells products that cost a huge amount of money, while the other offers you a social media solution for free. But they have something in common: they give users what they demand. You want a simple operating system? There you go, it’s called OS X. You want a nice looking computer, with a minimalist design which has never been seen before? Here you are, it’s called a MacBook. You want a product that will last for a long time if you take care of it? Here it is, we call it iPad. You want a sturdy music player? We have it and we named it iPod Shuffle. And so on. There is a reason behind Apple and Facebook being the most successful companies today.

Facebook does the same as the Cupertino based multinational. You want to be able to interact with people? You have the wall. You want to show pictures of yourself? There you go, this is how you can upload them. You want to have fun? We have Farmville and Zynga Poker. You want to always know what is happening? We call them Pages. You want to be able to have everything at the tips of your fingers? Here you are, Facebook Mobile and apps for every portable device.

Facebook, in its simplicity, solves the user’s needs. And this is what we all look for on Facebook. This is the main reason why we come back. We may like to closely follow our friends, play games, write funny status updates, follow companies’ updates or upload pictures of ourselves – whatever it is, Facebook makes it possible for us. This is the main reason behind Facebook’s world domination. And as long as they continue on this path, there is no way anybody will tear the giant apart, not even bad management.

Dare to think otherwise, why do you think such huge rise of Facebook happened pushing MySpace out of game? I would love to hear your opinion down below, in the comment section.

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Источник

Установите соответствие между заголовками 1–8 и текстами A–G. Запишите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании есть один лишний заголовок.

1.  Lucky escape

2.  Long journey

3.  Good way to meet

4.  Growing in popularity

5.  Ordering in

6.  Fast food is unhealthy

7.  A new way to buy

8.  Too much choice

A. When you are tired and don’t want to cook, just pick up the phone. Restaurants are expensive and take some time and effort to reach if you don’t live in the centre of town. Ordering food for home delivery is cheap and these days there is a huge choice. Indian and Chinese are the most popular but I prefer to get in a pizza.

B. A school group on a skiing holiday to Italy narrowly avoided disaster when their coach left the road and fell eighty meters into a valley. Trees slowed down the falling coach and because of the fresh new snow the vehicle landed quite softly. Amazingly no one was injured.

C. A teenager from London is making news around the world. On his recent holiday in Australia he set off without his mobile phone. Experts are amazed that he is still alive after walking for fourteen days, surviving extreme temperatures and living off the land. However, a lot of Australians are unhappy with him. The rescue cost is estimated at more than 100,000 dollars.

D. You can buy almost anything, new or second hand, on the internet. On one site you can offer the price you want to pay for something. Whoever offers the highest price can buy that item. Recently I made the highest offer for a nearly new pair of skis. However, I only paid half of what they would have cost new in a shop.

E. Making new friends on the internet makes so much sense. You can see someone’s photo and read if they share your interests and opinions. The important thing is you can spend time getting to know people who are attractive to you and looking for the same things in life that you are. Still, for personal safety, most sites recommend that in person you meet initially in a public place like a cafe or a gallery.

F. I like eating out but some restaurants have huge menus. And usually every item sounds mouth watering. The trouble is I like to read about everything on offer and sometimes waiters wait for me rather than on me! The other issue is how they can offer so much whilst maintaining quality? I’d rather take one of five options knowing that each one was brilliant.

G. “Facebook” is a social networking website that has 250 million members and despite lots of criticism by employers, governments and media, continues to attract thousands of new users daily. In spite of claims of concerns about privacy, safety and wasting time at work, “Facebook” is one of the most rapidly establishing phenomena of recent years.

Текст	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
Заголовок

Источник

Task 1 Прочитайте текст и заполните пропуски A–F частями предложений, обозначенными цифрами 1–7. Одна из частей в списке 1–7 лишняя. Занесите цифру, обозначающую соответствующую часть предложения, в таблицу.

Fire Crews Hunt Escaped Hamster

Eight firefighters have been called in to help find an escaped hamster. Two crews used a chocolate-covered camera and a vacuum cleaner A ____ , called Fudgie, at the home of a six-year-old girl in Dunbar, Scotland.

The girl’s mother said: ‘We came down for breakfast and discovered Fudgie had opened the top lid of her cage and had made her way into the kitchen and we think she has gone В ____ .’

The fire crews spent five hours trying to recover the pet after it ran down a hole in the kitchen floor. But, the hamster still refused С ____ .

In the search for Fudgie, the firefighters took the family cooker and gas pipes apart. They also dropped a mini-camera coated with chocolate under the floorboards. They then hoped to take out the hamster using a vacuum cleaner. Despite all their efforts, they failed to find Fudgie.

In the end, the firefighters put another camera down the hole D ____ , connected to the screen of the family home computer, to see if Fudgie appeared. Besides, the girl and her parents regularly dropped food E ____ .

At last, after eight days the hamster returned to her cage safe and sound. She crawled from the hole in the kitchen floor early in the morning. It was the girl’s father who first found Fudgie F ____ .

The girl said that day it was like Christmas morning for her. Her parents added that they too felt extremely happy when Fudgie had finally returned.

through a small hole in the floor
through the hole for the hamster
and locked the runaway hamster
to come out of the hole
to look after the pet
to try and locate the missing hamster
and left it under the floorboards

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	1	4	7	2	3

Task 2

Speed of eating is ‘key to obesity’

If you eat very quickly, it may be enough to increase your risk of being overweight, research suggests.

Osaka University scientists looked at the eating habits of 3,000 people. Just about half of them told researchers that they A ______ . Compared with those who did not eat quickly, fast-eating men were 84% more likely to be overweight, and women were 100% more likely to В ______ .

Japanese scientists said that there were a number of reasons why eating fast С ______ . They said it could prevent the work of a signalling system which tells your brain to stop eating because your stomach is full. They said: ‘If you eat quickly you basically fill your stomach before the system has a chance to react, so you D _____ .

The researchers also explained that a mechanism that helps make us fat today, developed with evolution and helped people get more food in the periods when they were short of it. The scientists added that the habit of eating fast could be received from one’s parents genes or E ______ .

They said that, if possible, children should be taught to F ______ , and allowed to stop when they felt full up at mealtimes. ‘The advice of our grandmothers about chewing everything 20 times might be true — if you take a bit more time eating, it could have a positive influence on your weight.

just overfill your stomach
could be bad for your weight
have a habit of eating quickly
linked to obesity
eat as slowly as possible
put on weight
learned at a very early age

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	6	2	1	7	5

Task 3

Hi-Tech Brings Families Together

Technology is helping families stay in touch like never before, says a report carried out in the US.

Instead of driving people apart, mobile phones and the Internet are A ____ . The research looked at the differences in technology use between families with children and single adults. It found that traditional families have more hi-tech gadgets in their home В ____ . Several mobile phones were found in 89% of families and 66% had a high-speed Internet connection. The research also found that 58% of families have more С ____ .

Many people use their mobile phone to keep in touch and communicate with parents and children. Seventy percent of couples, D ____ , use it every day to chat or say hello. In addition, it was found that 42% of parents contact their children via their mobile every day.

The growing use of mobile phones, computers and the Internet means that families no longer gather round the TV to spend time together. 25% of those who took part in the report said they now spend less time E ____ . Only 58% of 18—29 year olds said they watched TV every day. Instead the research found that 52% of Internet users who live with their families go online F ____ several times a week and 51% of parents browse the web with their children.

Some analysts have worried that new technologies hurt families, but we see that technology allows for new kinds of connectedness built around cell phones and the Internet/ said the report.

than any other group
watching television
in the company of someone else
than two computers in the home
communicated with their families
helping them communicate
owning a mobile

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	1	4	7	2	3

Task 4

The Power of ‘Hello’

I work at a company where there are hundreds of employees. I know most of them and almost all of them know me. It is all based on one simple principle: I believe every single person deserves to be acknowledged, A ______ .

When I was about 10 years old, I was walking down the street with my mother. She stopped to speak to Mr. Lee. I knew I could see Mr. Lee any time around the neighborhood, В ______ .

After we passed Mr. Lee, my mother said something that has stuck with me from that day until now. She said, ‘You let that be the last time you ever walk by somebody and not open up your mouth to speak, because even a dog can wag its tail С______ . That phrase sounds simple, but it has been a guidepost for me and the foundation of who I am. I started to see that when I spoke to someone, they spoke back. And that felt good. It is not just something I believe in — D ______ . I believe that every person deserves to feel someone acknowledges their presence, no matter how unimportant they may be.

At work, I always used to say ‘hello’ to the founder of the company and ask him how our business was doing. But I was also speaking to the people in the cafe, and asked how their children were doing. I remembered after a few years of passing by the founder, I had the courage to ask him for a meeting. We had a great talk.

At a certain point, I asked him E ______ . He said, ‘If you want to, you can get all the way to this seat.’ I have become vice president, but that has not changed the way I approach people. I speak to everyone I see, no matter where I am. I have learned that speaking to people creates a pathway into their world, F ______ .

it has become a way of life.
when it passes you on the street.
when you see him and talk to him.
and it lets them come into mine, too.
so I did not pay any attention to him.
however small or simple the greeting is.
how far he thought I could go in his company.

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	5	2	1	7	4

Task 5

Friendship and Love

A strong friendship takes a significant amount of time to develop. It will not just magically mature overnight. A friendship involves committing oneself to help another person A ______ . I believe that, nothing can replace a true friend, not material objects, or money, and definitely not a boy.

I met this guy a couple summers ago who I ended up spending almost all of my free time with. His parents did not approve of our dating because of our age difference, В ______ . He had told me the day we met that he had joined the air force and would leave for overseas that coming October. After three months had past, the time came when he had to leave. This left me feeling completely alone.

I turned to my friends for support, but to my surprise, С ______ . I had spent so much time with this guy and so little time with them, that they did not feel sorry for me when he left. For so long they had become the only constant in my life, and I had taken them for granted over something D ______ .

When my boyfriend came back, our relationship changed. I tried to fix all the aspects in my life that had gone so wrong in the previous six months.

This experience taught me that true friendships will only survive if one puts forth effort to make them last. Keeping friends close will guarantee that E ______ . When a relationship falls apart, a friend will always do everything in their power to make everything less painful. As for me, I try to keep my friends as close as I can. I know they will always support me in whatever I do, and to them, I F ______ .

but we did anyway.
whenever a need arises.
they did not really care.
whenever they need your help.
could not guarantee would even last.
am eternally grateful for a second chance.
someone will always have a shoulder to cry on.

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	1	3	5	7	6

Task 6

Mobile phones

On New Year’s Day, 1985, Michael Harrison phoned his father, Sir Ernest, to wish him a happy new year. Sir Ernest was chairman of Racal Electronics, the owner of Vodafone, A ______ .

At the time, mobile phones weighed almost a kilogram, cost several thousand pounds and provided only 20 minutes talktime. The networks themselves were small; Vodafone had just a dozen masts covering London. Nobody had any idea of the huge potential of wireless communication and the dramatic impact В ______ .

Hardly anyone believed there would come a day when mobile phones were so popular С ______ .But in 1999 one mobile phone was sold in the UK every four seconds, and by 2004 there were more mobile phones in the UK than people. The boom was a result of increased competition which pushed prices lower and created innovations in the way that mobiles were sold.

When the government introduced more competition, companies started cutting prices to attract more customers. Cellnet, for example, changed its prices, D ______ . It also introduced local call tariffs.

The way that handsets themselves were marketed was also changing and it was Finland’s Nokia who made E ______ . In the late 1990s Nokia realized that the mobile phone was a fashion item: so it offered interchangeable covers which allowed you to customize and personalize your handset.

The mobile phone industry has spent the later part of the past decade reducing its monthly charge F ______ , which has culminated in the fight between the iPhone and a succession of touch screen rivals.

trying to persuade people to do more with their phones than just call and text
that there would be more phones in the UK than there are people
and relying instead on actual call charges
that mobile phones would have over the next quarter century
the leap from phones as technology to phones as fashion items
and his son was making the first-ever mobile phone call in the UK
the move to digital technology, connecting machines to wireless networks

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	4	2	1	5	3

Task 7

London Zoo

London Zoo is one of the most important zoos in the world. There are over 12,000 animals at London Zoo and A ______ ! Its main concern is to breed threatened animals in captivity. This means we might be able to restock the wild, should disaster ever befall the wild population.

Partula Snail, Red Crowned Crane, Arabian Oryx, Golden Lion Tamarin, Persian Leopard, Asiatic Lion and Sumatran Tiger are just some of the species London Zoo is helping to save.

That is why it is so important that we fight to preserve the habitats that these animals live in, as well as eliminate other dangers В ______ . But we aim to make your day at London Zoo a fun and memorable time, С ______ .

In the Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo, for instance, youngsters can learn a new love and appreciation for animals D ______ . They can also learn how to care for favourite pets in the Pet Care Centre.

Then there are numerous special Highlight events E ______ unforgettable pony rides to feeding times and spectacular animal displays. You will get to meet keepers and ask them what you are interested in about the animals they care for, F ______ .

Whatever you decide, you will have a great day. We have left no stone unturned to make sure you do!

such as hunting exotic animals and selling furs
as well as the ins and outs of being a keeper at London Zoo
which take place every day, from
because they see and touch them close up
despite the serious side to our work
which demand much time and effort
that is not counting every ant in the colony

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	1	5	4	3	2

Task 8

‘Second Stonehenge’ discovered near original

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of what they believe was a second Stonehenge located a little more than a mile away from the world-famous prehistoric monument.

The new find on the west bank of the river Avon has been called «Bluestonehenge», after the colour of the 25 Welsh stones of A______.

Excavations at the site have suggested there was once a stone circle 10 metres in diameter and surrounded by a henge — a ditch with an external bank, according to the project director, Professor Mike Parker Pearson, of the University of Sheffield.

The stones at the site were removed thousands of years ago but the sizes of the holes in B ______ indicate that this was a circle of bluestones, brought from the Preseli mountains of Wales, 150 miles away.

The standing stones marked the end of the avenue C _____, a 1¾-mile long processional route constructed at the end of the Stone Age. The outer henge around the stones was built about 2400BC but arrowheads found in the stone circle indicate the stones were put up as much as 500 years earlier.

Parker Pearson said his team was waiting for results of radiocarbon dating D _____ whether stones currently in the inner circle of Stonehenge were originally located at the other riverside construction.

Pearson said: «The big, big question is when these stones were erected and when they were removed — and when we get the dating evidence we can answer both those questions.»

He added: «We speculated in the past E ______ at the end of the avenue near the river. But we were completely unprepared to discover that there was an entire stone circle. Another team member, Professor Julian Thomas, said the discovery indicated F______was central to the religious lives of the people who built Stonehenge. «Old theories about Stonehenge that do not explain the evident significance of the river will have to be rethought,» he said. Dr Josh Pollard, project co-director from the University of Bristol, described the discovery as «incredible».

which could reveal
which they stood
which it was once made up
that this stretch of the river Avon
that there might have been something
that it should be considered as integral part
that leads from the river Avon to Stonehenge

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	2	7	1	5	4

Task 9

Australia

Australia was the last great landmass to be discovered by the Europeans. The continent they eventually discovered had already been inhabited for tens of thousands of years.

Australia is an island continent A _____ is the result of gradual changes wrought over millions of years.

B ____, Australia is one of the most stable land masses, and for about 100 million years has been free of the forces that have given rise to huge mountain ranges elsewhere.

From the east coast a narrow, fertile strip merges into the greatly eroded Great Dividing Range, C ____.

The mountains are merely reminders of the mighty range, D ____. Only in the section straddling the New South Wales border with Victoria and in Tasmania, are they high enough to have winter snow.

West of the range of the country becomes increasingly flat and dry. The endless flatness is broken only by salt lakes, occasional mysterious protuberances and some mountains E ____. In places the scant vegetation is sufficient to allow some grazing. However, much of the Australian outback is a barren land of harsh stone deserts and dry lakes.

The extreme north of Australia, the Top End, is a tropical area within the monsoon belt. F ____, it comes in more or less one short, sharp burst. This has prevented the Top End from becoming seriously productive area.

that once stood here
that is almost continent long
whose property is situated to the north of Tasmania
whose landscape — much of bleak and inhospitable
whose beauty reminds of the MacDonald Ranges
Although its annual rainfall looks adequate on paper
Although there is still seismic activity in the eastern highland area

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	7	2	1	5	6

Task 10

Scotland Yard

Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police in London. To most people, its name immediately brings to mind the picture of a detective — cool, efficient, ready to track down any criminal, or a helmeted police constable — A____ and trusty helper of every traveller from overseas.

Scotland Yard is situated on the Thames Embankment close to the Houses of Parliament and the familiar clock tower of Big Ben, and its jurisdiction extends over 740 square miles with the exception of the ancient City of London, B____.

One of the most successful developments in Scotland Yard’s crime detection and emergency service has been the “999 system”. On receipt of a call the 999 Room operator ascertains by electronic device the position of the nearest available police car, C ____. Almost instantly a message is also sent by teleprinter to the police station concerned so that within seconds of a call for assistance being received, a police car is on its way to the scene. An old-established section of the Metropolitan police is the Mounted Branch, with its strength of about 200 horses stabled at strategic points. These horses are particularly suited to ceremonial occasions, D ____.

An interesting branch of Scotland Yard is the branch of Police Dogs, first used as an experiment in 1939. Now these dogs are an important part of the Force. One dog, for example, can search a warehouse in ten minutes, E ____.

There is also the River Police, or Thames Division, which deals with all crimes occurring within its river boundaries.

There are two other departments of Scotland Yard – the Witness Room (known as the Rogues’ Gallery) where a photographic record of known and suspected criminals is kept, and the Museum, F ____.

which is contacted by radio
that familiar figure of the London scene
for they are accustomed to military bands
which possesses its own separate police force
which contains murder relics and forgery exhibits
that this policeman will bring the criminal to justice
whereas the same search would take six men an hour

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	4	1	3	7	5

Task 11

Harry Potter course for university students

Students of Durham University are being given the chance to sign up to what is thought to be the UK’s first course focusing on the world of Harry Potter. Although every English-speaking person in the world knows about Harry Potter books and films, few have thought of using them as a guide to … modern life.

The Durham University module uses the works of JK Rowling A ______ modern society. “Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion” will be available for study next year. So far about 80 undergraduates have signed В ______ a BA degree in Education Studies. Future educationalists will analyse JK Rowling’s fanfiction from various points of view.

A university spokesman said: “This module places the Harry Potter novels in a wider social and cultural context.” He added that a number of themes would be explored, С ______ the classroom, bullying, friendship and solidarity and the ideals of and good citizenship.

The module was created by the head of the Department of Education at Durham University. He said the idea for the new module had appeared in response D ______ body: “It seeks to place the series in its wider social and cultural context and will explore some fundamental issues E ______ . You just need to read the academic writing which started F ______ that Harry Potter is worthy of serious study.”

up for the optional module, part of
to emerge four or five years ago to see
to examine prejudice, citizenship and bullying in
such as the response of the writer
including the world of rituals, prejudice and intolerance in
to growing demand from the student
such as the moral universe of the school

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	1	5	6	7	2

Task 12

Laughing and evolution

The first hoots of laughter from an ancient ancestor of humans could be heard at least 10 million years ago, according to the results of a new study. Researchers used recordings of apes and babies being tickled A ______ to the last common ancestor that humans shared with the modern great apes, which include chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans.

The finding challenges the opinion В ______ , suggesting instead that it emerged long before humans split from the evolutionary path that led to our primate cousins, between 10m and 16m years ago.

“In humans, laughing can be the strongest way of expressing how much we are enjoying ourselves, but it can also be used in other contexts, like making fun of someone,” said Marina Davila Ross, a psychologist at Portsmouth University. “I was interested in С ______ .”

Davila Ross travelled to seven zoos around Europe and visited a wildlife reserve in Sabah, Borneo, to record baby and juvenile apes D ______ . Great apes are known to make noises that are similar to laughter when they are excited and while they are playing with each other.

Davila Ross collected recordings of laughter from 21 chimps, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos and added recordings of three babies that were tickled to make them laugh.

To analyze the recordings, the team put them into a computer program. “Our evolutionary tree based on these acoustic recordings alone showed E ______ , but furthest from orangutans, with gorillas somewhere in the middle.” said Davila Ross. “What this shows is strong evidence to suggest F ______ .”

whether laughing emerged earlier on than humans did
to create the evolutionary tree linking humans and apes
that laughter is a uniquely human trait
that humans were closest to chimps and bonobos
that laughing comes from a common primate ancestor
while their caretakers tickled them
to trace the origin of laughter back

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	3	1	6	4	5

Task 13

Nenets culture affected by global warming

For 1,000 years the indigenous Nenets people have migrated along the 450-mile- long Yamal peninsula in northern Russia. In summer they wander northwards, taking their reindeer with them. In winter they return southwards.

But this remote region of north-west Siberia is now being affected by global warming. Traditionally the Nenets travel across the frozen River Ob in November A ___ around Nadym. These days, though, this annual winter migration is delayed. Last year the Nenets, together with many thousands of reindeer, had to wait until late December В ____ .

“Our reindeer were hungry. There wasn’t enough food,” Jakov Japtik, a Nenets reindeer herder, said. “The snow is melting sooner, quicker and faster than before. In spring it’s difficult for the reindeer to pull the sledges. They get tired,” Japtik said.

Herders say that the peninsula’s weather is increasingly unpredictable — with unseasonal snowstorms С ___, and milder longer autumns. In winter, temperatures used to go down to -50°C. Now they are normally around -30°C, according to Japtik. “Obviously we prefer -30°C. But the changes aren’t good for the reindeer D ___,” he said, setting off on his sledge to round up his reindeer herd.

Even here, in one of the most remote parts of the planet, E __ . Last year the Nenets arrived at a regular summer camping spot and discovered that half of their lake had disappeared. The water had drained away after a landslide. The Nenets report other curious changes — there are fewer mosquitoes and a strange increase in flies. Scientists say there is unmistakable evidence F ___ .

when the ice was finally thick enough to cross
that the impact on Russia would be disastrous
the environment is under pressure
and in the end what is good for the reindeer is good for us
and set up their camps in the southern forests
that Yamal’s ancient permafrost is melting
when the reindeer give birth in May

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	1	7	4	3	6

Task 14

Duration of life and its social implications

The world’s population is about to reach a landmark of huge social and economic importance, when the proportion of the global population over 65 outnumbers children under 5 for the first time. A new report by the US census bureau shows A____ , with enormous consequences for both rich and poor nations.

The rate of growth will shoot up in the next couple of years. The В ___ a combination of the high birth rates after the Second World War and more recent improvements in health that are bringing down death rates at older ages. Separate UN forecasts predict that the global population will be more than nine billion by 2050.

The US census bureau was the first to sound the С ___ . Its latest forecasts warn governments and international bodies that this change in population structure will bring widespread challenges at every level of human organization, starting with the structure of the family, which will be transformed as people live longer. This will in turn place new burdens on careers and social services providers, D ___ for health services and pensions systems.

“People are living longer and, in some parts of the world, healthier lives,” the authors conclude. “This represents one of the greatest achievements of the last century but also a significant challenge E ___ population.”

Ageing will put pressure on societies at all levels. One way of measuring that is to look at the older dependency ratio, F ___ that must be supported by them. The ODR is the number of people aged 65 and over for every 100 people aged 20 to 64. It varies widely, from just six in Kenya to 33 in Italy and Japan. The UK has an ODR of 26, and the US has 21.

which recently replaced Italy as the world’s oldest major country
alarm about these changes
a huge shift towards an ageing population
change is due to
while patterns of work and retirement will have huge implications
which shows the balance between working-age people and the older
as proportions of older people increase in most countries

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	4	2	5	7	6

Task 15

Elephants sense ‘danger’ clothes

St Andrews University researchers discovered that elephants could recognise the degree of danger posed by various groups of individuals. The study found that African elephants always reacted with fear A ______ previously worn by men of the Maasai tribe. They are known to demonstrate their courage by В ______ .

The elephants also responded aggressively to red clothing, which defines traditional Maasai dress.

However, the elephants showed a much milder reaction to clothing previously worn by the Kamba people, С ______ and pose little threat.

The researchers first presented elephants with clean, red clothing and with red clothing that had been worn for five days by D ______ .

They revealed that Maasai-smelt clothing motivated elephants to travel significantly faster in the first minute after they moved away.

They then investigated whether elephants could also use the colour of clothing as a cue to classify a potential threat and found the elephants reacted with aggression E ______ . This suggested that they associated the colour red with the Maasai.

The researchers believe the distinction in the elephants’ emotional reaction to smell and colour might be explained by F ______ . They might be able to distinguish among different human groups according to the level of risk they posed.

«We regard this experiment as just a start to investigating precisely how elephants ‘see the world’, and it may be that their abilities will turn out to equal or exceed those of our closer relatives, the monkeys and apes,» researchers added.

either a Maasai or a Kamba man
who do not hunt elephants
when they detected the smell of clothes
who carried out the research
the amount of risk they sense
spearing elephants
when they spotted red but not white cloth

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	6	2	1	7	5

Task 16

Culture and customs

In less than twenty years, the mobile telephone has gone from being rare, expensive equipment of the business elite to a pervasive, low-cost personal item. In many countries, mobile telephones A ___ ; in the U.S., 50 per cent of children have mobile telephones. In many young adults’ households it has supplanted the land-line telephone. The mobile phone is В ___ , such as North Korea.

Paul Levinson in his 2004 book Cellphone argues that by looking back through history we can find many precursors to the idea of people simultaneously walking and talking on a mobile phone. Mobile phones are the next extension in portable media, that now can be С ___ into one device. Levinson highlights that as the only mammal to use only two out of our four limbs to walk, we are left two hands free D ___ — like talking on a mobile phone.

Levinson writes that “Intelligence and inventiveness, applied to our need to communicate regardless of where we may be, led logically and eventually to telephones that we E ___ .”

Given the high levels of societal mobile telephone service penetration, it is a key means for people F ___ . The SMS feature spawned the «texting» sub-culture. In December 1993, the first person-to-person SMS text message was transmitted in Finland. Currently, texting is the most widely-used data service; 1.8 billion users generated $80 billion of revenue in 2006.

to perform other actions
outnumber traditional telephones
to communicate with each other
combined with the Internet
to serve basic needs
banned in some countries
carry in our pockets

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	6	4	1	7	5

Task 17

My Stage

My family moved to Rockaway, New Jersey in the summer of 1978. It was there that my dreams of stardom began.

I was nine years old. Heather Lambrix lived next door, and she and I became best friends. I thought she was so lucky A ___ . She took tap and jazz and got to wear cool costumes with bright sequences and makeup and perform on stage. I went to all of her recitals and В ___ .

My living room and sometimes the garage were my stage. I belonged to a cast of four, which consisted of Heather, my two younger sisters, Lisa and Faith, and I. Since I was the oldest and the bossiest, I was the director. Heather came with her own costumes С ___ . We choreographed most of our dance numbers as we went along. Poor Faith … we would throw her around D ___ . She was only about four or five … and so agile. We danced around in our bathing suits to audiocassettes and records from all the Broadway musicals. We’d put a small piece of plywood on the living room carpet, E ___ . And I would imitate her in my sneakers on the linoleum in the hall. I was a dancer in the making.

My dad eventually converted a part of our basement into a small theater. He hung two “spotlights” and a sheet for a curtain. We performed dance numbers to tunes like “One” and “The Music and the Mirror” from A Chorus Line. I sang all the songs from Annie. I loved to sing, F ___. I just loved to sing. So I belted out songs like “Tomorrow”, “Maybe” and “What I Did For Love.” I knew then, this is what I wanted to do with my life.

like she was a rag doll
whether I was good at it or not
wished I, too, could be on stage
and I designed the rest
and I was star struck
so Heather could do her tap routine
because she got to go to dance lessons

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	3	4	1	6	2

Task 18

Cat’s punctuality

Sergeant Podge, a Norwegian Forest Cat, disappears from his owner’s home in a small town in Kent, every night. But what baffles his owner, Liz Bullard, mostly is the fact that the next morning, the 12-year-old cat always pops up in exactly the same place, A ___ . And every morning Ms. Bullard takes her son to school before collecting Sergeant Podge.

She said that the routine had set in earlier this year, when Sergeant Podge disappeared one day. Ms. Bullard spent hours telephoning her neighbours В ___ .

An elderly woman living about one and a half miles away called back to inform Ms. Bullard that she had found a cat matching Sergeant Podge’s description. Ms. Bullard picked him up but within days he vanished from sight again. She rang the elderly woman С ___ .

She said a routine has now become established, where each morning she takes her son to school before driving to collect Sergeant Podge D ___ .

It is thought Sergeant Podge walks across a golf course every night to reach his destination.

Ms. Bullard said: “If it’s raining he may be in the bush but he comes running if I clap my hands.” All she has to do is open the car passenger door from the inside for Sergeant Podge to jump in.

Ms. Bullard also makes the trip at weekends and during school holidays — E ___ .

She does not know why, after 12 years, Sergeant Podge has begun the routine but explained that another woman who lived nearby used to feed him sardines, and that he may be F ___ .

His owner doesn’t mind his wandering off at night as long as she knows where to collect him.

on the look-out for more treats
from the pavement between 0800 and 0815 GMT
to discover Sergeant Podge was back outside her home
on a pavement about one and a half miles (2.4km) away
to identify if anyone had bumped into him
when her son is having a lie-in
collected by car every morning

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	5	3	2	6	1

Task 19

Do you speak English?

When I arrived in England I thought I knew English. After I’d been here an hour I realized that I did not understand one word. In the first week I picked up a tolerable working knowledge of the language and the next seven years convinced me gradually but thoroughly that I A ______ , let alone perfectly. This is sad. My only consolation being that nobody speaks English perfectly.

Remember that those five hundred words an average Englishman uses are B ______ . You may learn another five hundred and another five thousand and yet another fifty thousand and still you may come across a further fifty thousand C ______ .

If you live here long enough you will find out to your greatest amazement that the adjective nice is not the only adjective the language possesses, in spite of the fact that D ______ . You can say that the weather is nice, a restaurant is nice, Mr. Soandso is nice, Mrs. Soandso’s clothes are nice, you had a nice time, E ______ .

Then you have to decide on your accent. The easiest way to give the impression of having a good accent or no foreign accent at all is to hold an unlit pipe in your mouth, to mutter between your teeth and finish all your sentences with the question: “isn’t it?” People will not understand much, but they are accustomed to that and they will get a F ______ .

whatever it costs
most excellent impression
you have never heard of before, and nobody else either
in the first three years you do not need to learn or use any other adjectives
would never know it really well
far from being the whole vocabulary of the language
and all this

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	6	3	4	7	2

Task 20

Before the Hubble Space Telescope was launched, scientists thought they knew the universe. They were wrong.

The Hubble Space Telescope has changed many scientists’ view of the universe. The telescope is named after American astronomer Edwin Hubble, A ______ .

He established that many galaxies exist and developed the first system for their classifications.

In many ways, Hubble is like any other telescope. It simply gathers light. It is roughly the size of a large school bus. What makes Hubble special is not what it is, B ______ .

Hubble was launched in 1990 from the “Discovery” space shuttle and it is about 350 miles above our planet, C ______ .

It is far from the glare of city lights, it doesn’t have to look through the air, D ______ .

And what a view it is! Hubble is so powerful it could spot a fly on the moon. Yet in an average orbit, it uses the same amount of energy as 28100-watt light bulbs. Hubble pictures require no film. The telescope takes digital images E ______ .

Hubble has snapped photos of storms on Saturn and exploding stars. Hubble doesn’t just focus on our solar system. It also peers into our galaxy and beyond. Many Hubble photos show the stars that make up the Milky Way galaxy. A galaxy is a city of stars.

Hubble cannot take pictures of the sun or other very bright objects, because doing so could “fry” the telescope’s instruments, but it can detect infrared and ultra violet light F ______ .

Some of the sights of our solar system that Hubble has glimpsed may even change the number of planets in it.

which is above Earth’s atmosphere.
which are transmitted to scientists on Earth.
which is invisible to the human eye.
who calculated the speed at which galaxies move.
so it has a clear view of space.
because many stars are in clouds of gas.
but where it is.

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	7	1	5	2	3

Task 21

The science of sound, or acoustics, as it is often called, has been made over radically within a comparatively short space of time. Not so long ago the lectures on sound in colleges and high schools dealt chiefly with the vibrations of such things as the air columns in organ pipes. Nowadays, however, thanks chiefly to a number of electronic instruments engineers can study sounds as effectively A ____ . The result has been a new approach to research in sound. Scientists have been able to make far-reaching discoveries in many fields of acoustics B _____ .

Foremost among the instruments that have revolutionized the study of acoustics are electronic sound-level meters also known as sound meters and sound-intensity meters. These are effective devices that first convert sound waves into weak electric signals, then amplify the signals through electronic means C ______ . The intensity of a sound is measured in units called decibels. “Zero” sound is the faintest sound D ______ . The decibel measures the ratio of the intensity of a given sound to the standard “zero” sound. The decibel scale ranges from 0 to 130. An intensity of 130 decibels is perceived not only as a sound, but also E ______ . The normal range of painlessly audible sounds for the average human ear is about 120 decibels. For forms of life other than ourselves, the range can be quite different.

The ordinary sound meter measures the intensity of a given sound, rather than its actual loudness. Under most conditions, however, it is a quite good indicator of loudness. Probably the loudest known noise ever heard by human ears was that of the explosive eruption in August, 1883, of the volcano of Krakatoa in the East Indies. No electronic sound meters, of course, were in existence then, but physicists estimate that the sound at its source must have had an intensity of 190 decibels, F ______ .

and finally measure them.
since it was heard 3,000 miles away.
and they have been able to put many of these discoveries to practical use.
that loud sound is of high intensity.
as they study mechanical forces.
as a painful sensation in the ear.
that the unaided human ear can detect.

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	3	1	7	6	2

Task 22

Chocolate

Chocolate is made from a number of raw and processed foods produced from the seeds of tropical cacao trees. Cacao has been cultivated in A ______ at least 3000 years. For most of this time it was made into a drink called, in translation — “bitter water”. This is because В ______ to be fermented to develop a palatable flavour. After fermentation the beans are dried and roasted and the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. These are then ground and liquefied into chocolate liquor. The liquor is then processed into cocoa solids or cocoa butter. Pure chocolate contains primarily cocoa solids and butter in different proportions. Much of С ______ with added sugar. Milk chocolate is sweetened chocolate that additionally contains either milk powder or condensed milk. White chocolate on the other D ______ is therefore not a true chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine and phenethylamine which have physiological effects on the body. It is similar to serotonin levels in the brain. Scientists claim E ______ , can lower blood pressure. Recently, dark chocolate has also been promoted for its health benefits. But pet owners should remember that the presence of theobromine makes it toxic to cats and dogs. Chocolate is now one F______ , although 16 of the top 20 chocolate consuming countries are in Europe. Also interesting is that 66% of world chocolate is consumed between meals.

the chocolate consumed today is made
that chocolate, eaten in moderation
central and southern America for
of the world’s most popular flavours
hand contains no cocoa solids and
cacao seeds are intensely bitter and have
many countries worldwide at

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	6	1	5	2	4

Task 23

Reality TV

Reality TV seems to dominate broadcasting these days. But what is it, how did it emerge and why on earth is it so popular? The first question is easily answered. Reality TV A ______ presents unscripted, dramatic or humorous situations or events. It can involve celebrities В ______ of the public. Reality TV has been gradually growing in importance for over 60 years. “Candid Camera” — the show that filmed ordinary people reacting to set ups and pranks — started in 1948. Some people, however, believe it was the Japanese with their awful shows in the 1980s and 90s that brought reality TV to centre stage. Others believe С ______ that is called “Big Brother” was the show that spawned the reality TV age. But why are the shows so popular? Different theories come to life. Some believe that it is D ______ we like to watch horrible behaviour: the same instinct that once inspired the ancient Romans to go and watch gladiators destroy each other at the Coliseum. Others suggest a kind of voyeurism is involved there — an unhealthy curiosity to spy on other people’s lives.

Whatever the real reason — the trend seems to have already peaked. A lot of such shows E ______ or are expected to go in the near future. And the replacement seems to be talents shows — watching competitions in dance, singing and general entertainment. Does it mean that people are changing? It is too early to say. Most agree that these F ______ .

due to basic human instinct that
is still early to judge
are simply the cycles of fashion
but more usually the stars are members
that the television phenomenon
is a type of programme that
seem to have disappeared

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	4	5	1	7	3

Task 24

Mikhail Lomonosov and Moscow State University

Mikhail Lomonosov was one of the intellectual titans of XVIII century. His interests ranged from history, rhetoric, art and poetry A ______ . Alexander Pushkin described him as В ______ , whose lifelong passion was learning.

Lomonosov’s activity is a manifestation of the enormous potential of the Russian scientific community. Peter I reformed Russia, which allowed the country to reach the standard of С ______ many spheres. Great importance was placed on education. St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, founded by Peter I, established a university and a grammar school to educate intellectuals and researchers the country needed; however, these educational establishments could not fulfill the task they took on. It was Michail Lomonosov D ______ of establishing a university in Moscow. An influential courtier and the E ______ Count Shuvalov supported Lomonosov’s plans for a new university and presented them to the Empress.

In 1755, on 25 January-St. Tatiana’s Day according to the Russian Orthodox Church calendar — Elizaveta signed the decree that a university should be founded in Moscow. The opening ceremony took place on 26 April, when Elizaveta’s coronation day was celebrated. Since 1755 25 January and 26 April F ______ Moscow University; the annual conference where students present the results of their research work is traditionally held in April.

who suggested in his letter to Count Shuvalov the idea
to mechanics, chemistry and mineralogy
a person of formidable willpower and keen scientific mind
favourite of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, the patron of arts and science
the contemporary European powers in
are marked by special events and festivities at
famous among all educated people

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	3	5	1	4	6

Task 25

Window Shopping

The day would be spent with my best friends Kath and Kate. We are actually three Catherines (by birth spelt with a C), A______ we are all K’s: Kat (that’s me), Kath and Kate — the 3K Window Shopping gang!

Window shopping is simply wonderful. You can look at any outfit. You can try on В ______ not a single item on sale for which the price is a problem. You will try something on, ponder, pout, twirl, think hard, check yourself in the mirror one last time and finally reflect С ______ right for you! The highlight of this regular adventure however, is generally the 3K chocolate and ice cream break in the Shopping Centre’s top floor cafii Of course we do not believe that we are wasting anyone’s time. We do D ______ as well, but a reliable equation for us is — 3Ks + shopping mall = a good time.

But E ______ out to be especially memorable. One of the stores had a questionnaire lottery with the first prize being a voucher worth £200. We filled in the question forms while in the cafiiand returned to the store by their 2.00pm deadline. Kate won the first prize but we had decided in advance that if any of us won something, we would share equally: All for one К and one for all! At this point our morning of window shopping paid off. We completed F ______ slightly less than 10 minutes: three skirts, three hats and three belts and three very OK, K’s.

not like to spend our time
that it’s probably not quite
that particular day turned
our real shopping in
sometimes go shopping for real
anything you want and there is
but when we are together

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	6	2	5	3	4

Task 26

The Hotel

“Have you stayed with us before sir?” asked the receptionist. His accent sounded middle-European; Czech possibly or Polish. Actually I hadn’t stayed at this particular hotel before A ______ to many others from the same chain that I had stayed at. “No — first time” I replied with unnecessary brevity. The thing is I always feel В ______ rather than treated as an individual. Every word that I was about to hear, I had heard before — delivered no doubt from the depths of a tourism and hospitality course. “Welcome to Newcastle sir. Is this your first visit to our city? Can I trouble you to complete this form? Actually the first two lines and the signature at the bottom will do. Would you like С ______ , Sir? This will automatically unlock room facilities like mini-bar and telephone and any other extras you may require. Can I see your passport sir?” The questions and information D ______ responses were actually required and I handed over my passport, credit card and partly filled out form. I was tempted to write under name and address “Donald Duck, Duck Towers, Disney Street” — E ______ ever read the form again. But being a creature of habit I wrote my real name and address. While my card was being processed I looked across the reception area through the wall height windows to the beautiful River Tyne. A wave of nostalgia came over me. It was good to be back. I found myself thinking about her again and wondering F ______ a voice broke in: “It’s a plastic key card sir. You also need it to activate the lift and when you get to your room, plug it into the switch on the left as you open the door. It will automatically supply electricity to the room. Any help with your baggage? No? Then enjoy your stay”. The accomplished young Pole smiled as he delivered the final command and duly processed, I proceeded to the card activated lift.

me to take a print of your credit card
points poured out smoothly, no verbal
if I would even see her when
although it seemed virtually identical
so sure was I that nobody would
me to help you with your luggage
as if I am being processed like a product

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	7	1	2	5	3

Task 27

Lindsay Wildlife Museum

Lindsay Wildlife Museum is a unique natural history and environmental education centre where visitors can listen to the cry of a red-tailed hawk, go eye-to-eye with a grey fox and watch a bald eagle eat lunch. More than fifty species of native California animals are on exhibit here.

Thousands of school children learn about the natural environment in their classrooms A ____ of the museum. Nature- and science- oriented classes and trips are offered for adults and children. More than 600 volunteers help to feed and care for wild animals, В _____. Volunteers are active in the museum’s work, contributing С ____.

The museum was founded by a local businessman, Alexander Lindsay. Sandy, as friends knew him, started teaching neighborhood children about nature in the early 1950s. Initially housed in an elementary school, the museum began offering school-aged children summer classes, D ____.

After nearly a decade of the museum operation, it became apparent E ____. With a new 5,000 square-foot home, the museum could now develop and display a permanent collection of live, native wildlife and natural history objects. People came to the museum for help with wild animals F ___ urban growth. In response, a formal wildlife rehabilitation programme — the first of its kind in the United States of America — began in 1970.

that a permanent, year-round site was necessary
as well as field trips focused on the natural world
many hours of service to wildlife care and fundraising
that had been injured or orphaned because of intense
that needed public attention and a new building
as well as teach children and adults about nature
through education programmes and on-site tours

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	6	3	2	1	4

Task 28

America’s fun place on America’s main street

If any city were considered a part of every citizen in the United States, it would be Washington, DC. To many, the Old Post Office Pavilion serves A ____. If you are in the area, be a part of it all by visiting us — or В ____. Doing so will keep you aware of the latest musical events, great happenings and international dining, to say the least.

Originally built in 1899, the Old Post Office Pavilion embodied the modern spirit С ____. Today, our architecture and spirit of innovation continues to evolve and thrive. And, thanks to forward-thinking people, you can now stroll through the Old Post Office Pavilion and experience both D ____ with international food, eclectic shopping and musical events. All designed to entertain lunch, mid-day and after work audiences all week long.

A highlight of the Old Post Office Pavilion is its 315-foot Clock Tower. Offering a breath-taking view of the city, National Park Service Rangers give free Clock Tower tours every day! Individuals and large tour groups are all welcome. The Old Post Office Clock Tower also proudly houses the official United States Bells of Congress, a gift from England E ____. The Washington Ringing Society sounds the Bells of Congress every Thursday evening and on special occasions.

Visit the Old Post Office Pavilion, right on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol. It is a great opportunity F ____, this is a landmark not to be missed no matter your age.

that are offered to the visitors
its glamorous past and fun-filled present
as a landmark reminder of wonderful experiences
by joining our e-community
that was sweeping the country
celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War
to learn more about American history

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	4	5	2	6	7

Task 29

Number of teenagers with Saturday job drops

The number of teenagers with Saturday jobs has dropped. Young people do not acquire any experience for their CVs — a crucial step towards getting full-time work. The proportion of teenagers combining part-time jobs with school or college has slumped from 40% in the 1990s to around 20% now, according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), a government agency. Latest figures show that only A ____ in 1997.

The trend is not just recession-related, but the result of an increasing expectation В ____ well as a falling number of Saturday jobs, according to the report. Many of the jobs that young people do, such as bar work, are in long-term decline, and are forecast to decline further over the next decade.

«Recruiters place significant emphasis on experience С ____,» the report says. Word of mouth is the most common way to get a job, D _____ young people are unable to build up informal contacts, it adds.

Ms. Todd, a commissioner at the UKCES, said: «There’s more emphasis on doing well at school, young people are finding less time to do what they would have done a few years ago.» «I think it’s also the changing structure of the labour market. Retail is still a big employer, E ____. As a consequence, we need to think about how we get young people the work experience they need.»

A new initiative to send employees into state schools to talk about their careers was also launched recently. The scheme, Inspiring the Future, is meant to give state schoolchildren access to the kind of careers advice that private schools offer. The deputy prime minister said: «The power of making connections F ____ and can be life-changing.»

that it was researching the system of funding education after 16
260,000 teenagers have a Saturday job compared with 435,000
but young people are leaving education increasingly less experienced
that inspire young people is immeasurable
but an increasing shortage of work experience means
that young people should stay on at school, as
but a lot more of it is being done online

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	6	3	5	7	4

Task 30

Lots of fun in Cardiff

As you would expect of a capital city, Cardiff offers a huge choice of exciting sport and entertainment throughout the year.

Every March the city celebrates St. David, Wales’ patron saint, with parades and music. August sees the International Festival of Street Entertainment, with the heart of the city A ____. Family fun days in the parks and at the waterfront are part of this sensational summer scene. Brass and military bands are often to be seen on Cardiff s streets. Between May and October the world’s only seagoing paddle steamer cruises from Cardiff’s seaside resort.

In autumn the fun continues with Cardiff s Festival of the Arts В _____. Music is at the centre of the festival, with international stars С ____. Christmas in Cardiff is full of colour and festivities. The truly spectacular Christmas illuminations have earned Cardiff the title of «Christmas City». And there is entertainment for all the family, D ____.

There is always something happening in Cardiff. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Welsh National Opera can both be heard here. Cardiff previews many London «West End» shows E _____.

The city’s range of accommodation facilities is truly impressive, F ____. And with a city as compact as Cardiff there are places to stay in all price brackets.

from international names to family-run guest houses
joining some of Wales’ most talented musicians
having their summer holidays in Cardiff
that usually attract hundreds of theatre lovers
which features music, film, literature and graphics
from pantomimes to Christmas tree celebrations
beating with dance and theatrical performances

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	5	2	6	4	1

Task 31

Changing image

For more than 200 years Madame Tussaud’s has been attracting tourists from all over the world and it remains just as popular as it ever was. There are many reasons for this enduring success, but at the heart of it all is good, old-fashioned curiosity.

Madame Tussaud’s original concept has entered a brand new era of interactive entertainment A _____. Today’s visitors are sent on a breathtaking journey in black cabs through hundreds of years of the past. They have a unique chance to see the great legends of history, В _____ of politics.

Much of the figure construction technique follows the traditional pattern, beginning whenever possible with the subject С _____ and personal characteristics. The surprising likeliness of the wax portraits also owes much to many stars D _____, either by providing their stage clothes, or simply giving useful advice.

The museum continues constantly to add figures E ____ popularity. The attraction also continues to expand globally with established international branches in New York, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and many other cities. And they all have the same rich mix of interaction, authenticity and local appeal.

The museum provides a stimulating and educational environment for schoolchildren. Its specialists are working together with practicing teachers and educational advisors to create different programmes of activities, F ____.

as well as resources on art, technology and drama
as well as the idols of popular music and the icons
who is sitting to determine exact measurements
ranging from special effects to fully animated figures
ranging from all kinds of souvenirs to sports equipment
that reflect contemporary public opinion and celebrity
who are eager to help in any possible way they can

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	2	3	7	6	1

Task 32

Saturday jobs: memories of weekend working

Research has shown a sharp fall in the number of teenagers who do Saturday jobs. It seems such a shame — my Saturday job as a kitchen porter was something of a rite of passage. I’ll never forget long hours A _____, scouring grease off huge saucepans and griddles. Working atmosphere there helped me grow a thicker skin, develop quicker banter and, most importantly, taught me the value of hard work. It also resulted in a steady supply of cash, В ____. I’m not the only one who has strong memories of weekend work. DJ Trevor Nelson said everyone should be able to have a Saturday job: «It taught me a lot, С ____.»

The link between the type of Saturday job a celebrity performed and their later career is sometimes obvious. Dragon’s Den star and businessman Peter Jones, for example, showed early promise by starting his own business. «I passed my Lawn Tennis Association coaching exam, D ____,» he explains. «At the start I was coaching other kids, E ____, for which I could charge £25-30 an hour. While my friends on milk rounds were getting £35 a week, I was doing five hours on a Saturday and earning four times as much.»

Skier Chemmy Alcott got a job working for the Good Ski Guide, on the advertising side. «It became clear to me what my personal value to companies could be. It led directly to me finding my head sponsor … and it offered me an eight-year contract. That gave me the financial backing F ____.»

As part of its response to the Saturday job statistics, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills said a lack of early work opportunities makes it harder for young people to acquire experience for their СVs.

and things would be different if everyone was given the chance
which let me know he approved of me
and I persuaded my local club to let me use a court on Saturdays
which I needed to become a professional skier
which I would happily spend as I liked
that I spent in the kitchen of a busy country pub in East Sussex
but soon I got adults wanting to book lessons

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	5	1	3	7	4

Task 33

Orient Express

In the early 1860s, trains were the preferred way to travel. They weren’t particularly comfortable, however, until American engineer George Mortimer Pullman decided to make trains more luxurious.

By the late 1860s, trains furnished not only sleeping cars, but kitchen and dining facilities, where A _____. This was innovative for the time, and was aimed to encourage people В _____. The first of these Pullman trains in England ran from London to Brighton and used electricity for illumination.

In 1881, another railway entrepreneur, George Nagelmacker, introduced the use of a restaurant car onboard, and the first Orient Express train service was begun. Running from Paris to Romania the route included Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest.

Thanks to the 12 mile Simplon Tunnel, С _____, the Orient Express expanded, including a route to Istanbul, and the legendary romance of the Orient Express was in full swing.

Everyone in the social register, including royalty, chose to travel on the wheels of that luxury hotel D _____ in wealthy surroundings. Legends, stories, and intrigue surrounded those trips to exotic places, and those famous people E _____.

Unfortunately, during World War II this luxury travel was closed for the most part, and later, after the war, F ____ to start it again. Within the next few years airplane travel became popular, and train passenger service declined.

elegant meals were served to passengers
to use trains for long distance travel and vacations
who rode the train
who wrote about it
which connected Switzerland and Italy
that served dishes and wines
there was no money

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	2	5	6	3	7

Task 34

Arizona’s world class cruise

Spectacular Canyon Lake is situated in the heart of the Superstition Mountains in Arizona, giving home to the Dolly Steamboat. The Dolly Steamboat, A ____, now cruises the secluded inner waterways of this beautiful lake. It is worth exploring this favourite destination of President Theodore Roosevelt who declared, «The Apache Trail and surrounding area combines the grandeur of the Alps, the glory of the Rockies, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon and then adds something В ____.» You will marvel as you travel up to the national forest, which provides the most inspiring and beautiful panorama С ____. Every trip brings new discoveries of rock formations, geological history, and the flora and fauna distinct to the deserts of Arizona.

Once aboard the Dolly Steamboat, you may view the majestic desert big horn sheep, bald eagles and a host bird of other wildlife, water fowl, D ____. Experience the unique sound harmony that is created by the waters of Canyon Lake. Stretch out and relax at one of the tables or stand next to the railings on the deck. There is plenty of leg room on the Dolly. You will get a unique chance to listen to the captain E ____.

All the passengers are treated with outstanding service and personal attention to every need. Feel free to ask questions, move about and mingle with the crew. So enjoy an unforgettable vacation cruise and see F ____ ,like a ride on Arizona’s Dolly Steamboat.

that nature has ever created in the wild
that none of the others have
hovering over the magnificent lake
who retells the legends of the mysterious past
for yourself why there is nothing quite
who pays much attention to children’s safety
continuing a tradition of cruising since 1925

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	2	1	3	4	5

Task 35

US Congress

The Congress of the United States of America is an important part of the US federal government.

It is an assembly of elected representatives A ____ but not to select the chief executive of the nation; that individual is elected by the people.

Congress is not a single organization; it is a vast and complex collection of organizations B ____ and through which members of Congress form alliances.

C ____, in which political parties are the only important kind of organization, parties are only one of many important units in Congress.

In fact other organizations have grown in number D ____.

The Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate are organized by party leaders, E ____ within the House and Senate. The party structure is essentially the same in the House as in the Senate, though the titles of various posts are different.

But leadership carries more power in the House than in the Senate because of the House rules. F _____, the House must restrict debate and schedule its business with great care; thus leaders who do the scheduling and who determine how the rules shall be applied usually have substantial influence.

as party influence has declined
against the spirit of the Constitution
being so large (435 members)
empowered to make laws
unlike the British Parliament
by which the business of Congress is carried on
who in turn are elected by the full party membership

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	6	5	1	7	3

Task 36

The Trailblazers

In the early 1800s, the area that would become the western United States was completely undeveloped.

Explorers, hunters, traders, and settlers had to blaze their own trails. A____ to move possessions and supplies became common place.

Manifest Destiny was the belief that Americans had a God-given right to take over the continent. As they moved west, settlers used this policy B_____ to new people and territories.

Trails increased trade opportunities between western and eastern regions, and the U.S. economy prospered C_____ on each other for goods.

To achieve Manifest Destiny, the United States purchased land from other countries or conquered territory D_____ until its borders stretched from coast to coast.

More than one-half million people chose to travel West on trails between 1800 and 1870, E_____.

As new technology spread across the West, however, the use of trails came to an end. The railroads built thousands of miles of tracks, and, F ____, a cheap, relatively safe, and quick way to transport people and supplies to western areas existed.

to spread U.S. ideas and government
for the first time in history
thus replacing them forever
as territories became interdependent
the use of covered wagons
by taking land from Native peoples
forming the largest mass migration in history

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	1	4	6	7	2

Task 37

A Young Mayor

This is a very unusual case, but as you will see, unusual doesn’t mean impossible.

An 18-year-old school girl has become the youngest mayor of a British town in history. Amanda Bracebridge, A_____, won leadership of Clun village council in a dramatic election last night. The tiny village only has 122 voters and Amanda won the election by just two votes from the only other candidate, 69-year-old Fred Gardner of the Conservative party. Amanda, B _____, was an independent candidate. She was surprised by her success, C _____. “My election promise was to make sure D _____,” she told us. She was referring to the plans from a large company to buy up farmland and build flats there. “We live in one of the most beautiful villages in Shropshire and I want to make sure it stays that way.”

Amanda, who is in her last year at nearby Bishop’s Castle High School, E _____ and her exams which she takes in two months. “It’s going to be a pretty busy few months,” she said. “But when the exams are over I will be able to concentrate completely on helping my village”.

Amanda had plans to go to university but is now going to start a year later F _____. “I’ve talked to Leeds University and they say my place will wait for me”. And what is she going to study? Politics? “No, actually, I am going to do sociology and economics”.

who is not a member of any political party
that our village would be protected from outside interests
but it was not a total shock to her
being a politics student at the university
so she can do her job as mayor properly
who is only just old enough to vote herself
will have to find time for her work as mayor

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	1	3	2	7	5

Task 38

Is there enough to say?

They only appeared about ten years ago but already they are everywhere, everyone’s got one. They are the wonder of the modern age — mobile phones, or cell phones, A ____. Apparently, mobile phones are now used by about 2.5 billion people worldwide, and about one billion new mobile phones are sold every year worldwide. Go back to 1997, and only 100 million were sold. As we can see, the mobile phone business B_____.

And the developments keep on coming. Once we could only make phone calls; now mobile phones C_____ and do many other useful things. Once we had to hold our mobile phones in our hand; now we can use throat microphones. What next? We are told that soon, tiny microphones will be implanted into our lips. We’ll be able to dial numbers just by saying them.

But surely we need to ask ourselves: What’s good about this? OK, we can talk to other people almost all the time now — but is that so great? Watch and listen to people when a plane has landed. Anxious D _____, dial a number, and then: “It’s me, I’m here. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” Is this communication? Is this what all these years of technology have brought us to?

In the early days of communication there were letters. When they arrived at your house, you knew they had been delivered by a man E _____.

In those days, people would think very hard before they wrote a letter. You had to have a good reason to write — communication was serious. Now it’s not — people phone each other F ____. Once the phone was a way for people far away from each other to talk — now it’s just an excuse to talk.

has been developed very quickly
not understand why they are doing it for
as Americans call them
riding halfway across the country on a horse
just because they can
can also be used to take and send photos
fingers immediately switch on the mobile phone

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	1	6	7	4	5

Task 39

Promoting language learning

The European Union (EU) is committed to supporting the rights of its citizens to personal and professional mobility, and their ability to communicate with each other. It does so by A_____ to promote the teaching and learning of European languages. These programmes have at least one thing in common: they cover cross-border projects involving partners from two, and often three or more, EU countries.

The EU programmes are designed to complement the national education policies of member countries. Each government is responsible for its own national education policy, B_____. What the EU programmes do is to create links between countries and regions via joint projects, C____.

Since 2007 the main programmes have been put under the overall umbrella of the EU’s lifelong learning programme. All languages are eligible for support under this programme: official languages, regional, minority and migrant languages, D____. There are national information centres in each country, E_____.

The cultural programmes of the EU also promote linguistic and cultural diversity in a number of ways. The “Media” programme funds the dubbing and subtitling of European films for F ____. The “Culture” programme builds cross-cultural bridges by supporting the translation of modern authors into other EU languages.

and the languages of the EU’s major trading partners
which includes language teaching and learning
cinemas and television in other EU countries
which enhance the impact of language teaching and learning
funding a number of educational programmes
and encouraging people to learn new languages
where details about the application procedures are given

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	2	4	1	7	3

Task 40

Starting your own business

What are the reasons for starting your own business? One of them is because you believe you are the best in that line or because you have a product or service that has never been offered to the market before. Another is that you are a person in a real hurry and cannot suffer the A_____ to reach your goals. Sometimes it is because you have an inheritance B_____ soon after you set up a business or that there already is a cash purse with loose strings and you want to make the best of this bonanza.

If your reasons are any or all of the above, abandon the thought right now and save yourself the disillusionment C____ into the world of commerce.

Start your own business just for the sake of doing a trade, or for D____. Do not burden yourself with lofty notions of superiority when compared to your peers. When setting out to start your own business, be emotional about it, but not impractical; don’t be led by your heart, but be dictated by your mind.

Having covered those parts that are not taught in a business school, let us look at E____ your own business. You should start with a SWOT analysis – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats – analyze these for yourself, for partners in your business, if any, and for the business itself.

If the result of the analysis is encouraging, then prepare a business plan. It is like a road map for actions in the near foreseeable future to achieve your business goals. Finally, execute the business plan with precision; tweak it as you go along, only so that it helps to meet the end goal of successfully F_____ the business.

the essentials of starting
that awaits when you step
trials and tribulations of employment
establishing and conducting
preparing a business plan
waiting to be acquired
undertaking the commercial activity

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	6	2	7	1	4

Task 41

Archaeology done underwater

Nautical archaeology is the science of finding, collecting, preserving, and studying human objects that have become lost or buried under water. It is a fairly modern field of study since it depends on having the technology to be able to remain underwater for some time to do real work. Whether it is conducted in freshwater or in the sea, A____, nautical archaeology is another way of learning more about the human past.

Although some use the words nautical archaeology to mean a specialized branch of underwater archaeology, B____, most consider the term to mean the same as the words underwater archaeology or marine

archaeology. All of these interchangeable terms mean simply C_____.

Once real trade began, it is safe to say D_____ was probably transported over water at some point in time. By studying submerged objects, we can learn more about past human cultures. In fact, studying ancient artifacts is the only way to learn anything about human societies E_____. Being able to examine the actual objects made and used by ancient people not only adds to the written records they left behind, but allows us to get much closer to the reality of what life was like when they lived. Also, if we pay close attention to how the objects were made and used, we begin to get a more realistic picture of F_____.

that existed long before the invention of writing
that nearly every object made by humans
what those people were really like
which is concerned only with ships and the history of seafaring
that it is the study of archaeology done underwater
and whether it finds sunken ships or old cities
and what was discovered underwater

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	4	5	2	1	3

Task 42

Visiting the Royal Parks

London has a well-deserved reputation as one of the greenest cities in Europe, with a huge number of open spaces across the center of the city. Tourists A_____ can always relax in a lovely, quiet London park.

The Royal Parks, such as St James’s, Green Park, the Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Richmond, Greenwich, Bushy Park and Kensington Gardens, are beautifully maintained and popular with locals and visitors alike. Many are former hunting estates of English monarchs, preserved as open space B______. They are ideal places to relax and sunbathe in summer, enjoy gorgeous flower beds in spring C_____.

The Royal Parks provide fantastic green routes in London D______ and through some of the most attractive areas of the capital. Picnics in the parks are also a popular activity especially during the busy summer months.

Dogs are welcome in all the Royal Parks, although there are some places E_____. These are clearly indicated within each park and are usually ecologically sensitive sites, children’s play areas, restaurants, cafes and some sports areas. Ground nesting birds are particularly sensitive to disturbance by dogs and people. So it is necessary to observe the warning signs F____. In Bushy Park and Richmond Park dogs should be kept away from the deer.

The Royal Parks are for everyone to enjoy.

that are displayed during the nesting season
while the city has grown up around them
and admire the changing leaves as autumn arrives
where they are not allowed or should be kept on a lead
who are tired of the noise, crowds and excitement of sightseeing
who does not know the route to the place of destination
that take cyclists away from traffic

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	2	3	7	4	1

Task 43

The Survival of the Welsh Language

Wales is a small country of just over 3 million people, on the north west seaboard of Europe. Despite many historical incursions of other peoples, particularly the English, it has preserved its ancient Celtic language, A_____. Welsh is habitually spoken by about 10% of the people, half understood by a further 10%, and not spoken at all by the majority in this ‘bilingual’ society.

Up to the First World War most people were Welsh speaking, especially in the mountains of North Wales. The English-speaking areas were along the more fertile coastal plains. On the whole there was an easy tolerance of the two languages, B______.

By 1919 there was a considerable drop in Welsh speakers. This was due to the large flows of capital investment from England into the South Wales coalfield, C_____.

Now, D_____, commerce and everyday business were carried out in English.

In the rural mountain areas 80% to 85% of the population were Welsh speakers, E ____. However, in the coalfield country of Glamorgan 70% spoke English only, and in its neighbour border county the figure was over 90%.

By 1931 the number of people able to speak Welsh in the whole of Wales had fallen to 37% of the population, F ____. It continued to drop and reached its lowest – 18.6% — in the 1990s. But by the start of the 21st century, numbers had begun to increase again and reached 21.7% in 2004!

as well as education and the law
the only one of a number of allied languages that remain
with radio and the English press further speeding the decline
many being able to speak Welsh only
where Welsh was studied as language and literature in an academic manner
apart from the fact that Welsh was not permitted to be used at all in the schools
bringing a flood of immigrant labour from all over Britain

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	6	7	1	4	3

Task 44

Secrets of Long Life

There are places in the world where people live longer than anywhere else. The remote Japanese island of Okinawa is one of these places. While the lifespan in Britain is 77 years for men and 81 for women, Okinawa has a population of about one million, of which 900 are centenarians — A_____ in Britain or the USA. So what is their secret of long life?

«The calendar may say they’re 80, but their body says they’re 60,» says Bradley Willcox, a scientist researching the extraordinary phenomenon. The research has shown hormonal differences between Okinawans and B____ but their longevity has been linked to diet. They eat more tofu and soya than any other people in the world and also enjoy a range of different fruit and vegetables, all rich in anti-oxidants. But the most significant thing isn’t what they eat but how much. The Okinawans C_____ known as ‘hara hachi bu’, which translates as ‘eat until you are only 80 % full’.

Scientists refer to this way of eating as ‘caloric restrictions’. No-one knows exactly why it works, but scientists believe it D_____ that there is the danger of famine. This in turn E_____ and so may lead to better preservation and slower aging.

«It’s a stark contrast with the cultural habits that drive food consumption in F____ » says Mr. Willcox. If we look at high streets and supermarkets in most other countries, you will see that he is right. Restaurants offer all-you-can-eat menus and supersize portions. Supermarkets are full of special offers encouraging us to buy more food than we need.

make it a healthy diet
other parts of the world
four times higher than the average
have a cultural tradition
sends a signal to the body
the rest of the population
makes the body protect itself

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	6	4	5	7	2

Task 45

Beaches of Portugal

Covering more than 850 km, the Portuguese coast boasts such a large number of fine, white sandy beaches that it is almost impossible to keep count. All bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and all different, their beauty is hard to describe, so there is nothing better A _____.

The most famous are in the Algarve. With three thousand hours of sun per year and warm waters, there are beaches to suit every taste and many dreamlike resorts. The choices are many, from sandy stretches extending as far as the eye can see B ______, the trade image of the region. They are always accompanied by a calm clear sea, C_____.

In Costa da Caparica, the beaches are particularly dear to Lisbonites D _____ for sun and sea bathing. There are deserted beaches here too, of a wild beauty, E ____ nature. In the centre, tourists will find very wide sandy stretches, to which traditional fishing adds a picturesque touch. And further north, the colder waters and the invigorating sea are tempered by the welcoming atmosphere and the clean air of the mountains and the forests.

Despite all their differences, all beaches share one thing – quality. They are safe and offer a wide range of support and recreational services, F ____. And a large number of Portuguese beaches are granted the European blue flag every year, a distinction that is a sign of their excellent conditions.

where one can enjoy close contact with
which meet every need of their users
than to discover them once for oneself
who has never been to this wonderful city
which is ideal for various water sports
to the smaller coves, sheltered by huge cliffs
who have different options around the capital

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	6	5	7	1	2

Task 46

The Joy of Reading

Have you ever wondered why people read? Why reading is one of the few things A _____ for thousands of years? Even before reading became available to the general public, stories were told around campfires, passed down from generation to generation.

First of all, stories are a good way to escape from your ordinary life, to get immersed in another world, if only for a little time. While reading, you can imagine yourself in different situations B _____, but in the moment that doesn’t matter. Whether you’re suffering from depression or are just bored, reading is a great distraction.

Similarly, another reason people are attracted to stories, is because they are lonely, very often they feel as if they are the only ones in the world C _____. Identifying with a fictional character can make a big difference in helping a person understand D _____.

Other people read because it can be a good way to relax. It can be very nice to sit down and enjoy a good plot unfold, to watch the actions of fictional characters from the side, and to see the consequences of these actions, E ____.

Lastly, people read because it is the easiest way to gain knowledge in a certain area. Instead of finding a teacher, you can just find a book, sit down, and spend a few hours reading. This way you can study wherever you want, whenever you want F _____.

There are countless books in the world, and whoever you are, whatever you’re feeling, there is definitely a book out there, just waiting for you to discover it.

try to avoid the boredom of life
that has consistently remained part of society
that they are not alone
going through something difficult
without having to bear any responsibility
that range from unlikely to impossible
at your own pace

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	6	4	3	5	7

Task 47

Peter and Paul Fortress

The Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg, located on small Hare Island, is the historic core of the city. The history of St. Petersburg begins with the history of the fortress.

Since 1700 Russia had been fighting the Northern War against Sweden. By 1703 the lands by the Neva River were conquered. To protect them from the attacks of the Swedes it was necessary to build a strong outpost here. The fortress was founded on Hare Island 16 (27) May, 1703 by joint plan of Peter I and French engineer Joseph-Gaspard Lambert de Guerin. This day is well known A____.

The fortress stretches from west to east with six bastions B____. The Peter’s Gate on the east side, C____, has remained since the time of Peter I. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, D____ emperors and the monument of Russian baroque, was completed after the death of the emperor, in 1733. The weathervane as a golden angel with a cross, E____, is one of the main symbols of the city. On the opposite side of the cathedral, there is the Mint building, constructed in the time of Paul I by architect A. Porto. Coinage was moved to the fortress F____ in the time of Peter I. The Peter and Paul Fortress has never directly participated in any fighting. From the very beginning of its existence it was used as a political prison. Since 1924 the Peter and Paul Fortress has been a part of the Museum of the History of St. Petersburg.

as the day of the birth of St. Petersburg
which was designed by D. Trezzini
which was the burial place of Russian
and reminding of the rich history of the city
as the most protected part of the city
which is located on the spire of the cathedral
that are located at the corners

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	7	2	3	6	5

Task 48

Surviving in a Desert

A desert is defined as a place that gets less than 250 mm of rain each year. It differs sharply from the climate of a rain forest, A _____.

Arid desert lands cover about one third of the earth’s surface. Most deserts are covered with sand, B _____. There are also usually a lot of rocky areas. This combination of sand and rock means that the soil is not very fertile. C ____, some living things are able to do well in this setting. Many plants have changed and developed in ways D____. These changes have become apparent in a number of ways. Some plants are able to grow very quickly E____. They turn green and produce flowers within just a few days. Other desert plants simply stop growing in very dry weather. They appear to be dead, but when the rain returns, they come back to life and begin growing again.

Desert animals have also developed many characteristics that help them to survive in arid environment. Camels can go for a very long time without drinking. Other animals, such as snakes and rats, find cool places to sleep during the day and come out only at night. The extremely long ears of desert rabbits help them F_____. Changes like these have allowed some animals and plants to grow and develop successfully in a very challenging ecological system: the desert.

There are countless books in the world, and whoever you are, whatever you’re feeling, there is definitely a book out there, just waiting for you to discover it.

which is often in the form of hills called sand dunes
whenever it rains
to find water as far as 25 metres away
which can receive up to 10,000 mm of rain annually
to better distribute their body heat and stay cool
even though the desert environment is very dry and hot
that help them to live in the desert

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	1	6	7	2	5

Task 49

Nevsky Prospect

Nevsky Prospect is the main and most famous street of St. Petersburg. The unique architectural ensemble of Nevsky Prospect was formed during the 18th – early 20th centuries. It starts from the bank of the Neva River, runs through the centre of the city and ends at the Neva River. The whole history of St. Petersburg can be seen in the history of the avenue. Nevsky Prospect is 4.5 km long and 25-60 m wide. The narrowest section is located from the Admiralty to the Moika River, A_____.

After the construction of the Admiralty in 1704 and the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in 1710, it was decided to build a road B_____ each other and with the Novgorod Path, which was used by Russian merchants. The construction began on both sides at the same time, the roads were laid through the wood, and in 1760s they were connected into one road, C_____, but with a turn at the Vosstaniya Square. Nevsky Prospect got its name only in 1783. The road was paved with cobble stones, D_____. It was the first street in St. Petersburg with gas lighting. By the early 20th century Nevsky Prospect had become the financial centre of Russia E____ had their offices there.

Nowadays, Nevsky Prospect is the centre of cultural and social life of St. Petersburg. There are museums, theatres, exhibition halls, cinemas, restaurants, cafés, shops F____.

and hotels there or nearby the avenue
showing the original width of the avenue
which was not as straight as it was planned
which were built by famous architects and
connecting these two important structures with
and a few rows of trees were planted along the street
as the 40 largest banks of Russia, Europe and America

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	5	3	6	7	1

Task 50

Whales in a Noisy Ocean

Whales use sound in very different ways. Some whales produce songs that travel over vast distances. They also use echolocation, like bats, A _____. But other noise in the ocean creates a problem for the whales.

Since 1987, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has sent their research vessel Song of the Whale around the world B _____. During the travels, the Song of the Whale scientists have developed expertise C ____ to listen to and record the sounds that the animals make. Thishelps them to track, identify, and survey different species.

One of the threats facing whales and other marine animals is noise pollution in the seas, such as noise from drilling, military activities, oil exploration, and coastal construction. This noise can cause great distress to whales and dolphins and can D _____.

It is feared this noise pollution may cause mass strandings, E _____. If the Song of the Whale team can F ____, then hopefully the nature and location of disturbing noise can be changed.

in using underwater microphones
to locate food and find their way
result in injury and even death
track and identify their habitats
to filter out food from the water
to provide a platform for marine research
when large numbers come ashore

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	6	1	3	7	4

Task 51

Unique nature of Kamchatka

Kamchatka is a peninsula located in the north-eastern part of Russia. It is surrounded with the Okhotskoye Sea, the Beringovo Sea and the Pacific Ocean. This region has a very unique environment A_____ one is looking for picturesque views, unforgettable travels and unity with nature.

Kamchatka is famous for its volcanoes, B_____. Volcanoes are represented on Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the most eastern city in the northern hemisphere, coat of arms as well. There are more than 300 volcanoes

in Kamchatka, from 28 up to 36 of them are active, or potentially active. Kamchatka volcanoes are included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The region is also known C____ — rivers and lakes. Many Kamchatka rivers spring from mountain tops and glaciers, that is why they are very clean, and it is wonderful for those D_____. In general, there are up to 14 thousand rivers and streams, 100 thousand lakes and 414 glaciers in Kamchatka.

Kamchatka is a home to the Valley of Geysers, E_____ geysers in the world, after Icelandic geyser fields. It is not easily accessible, as long as it is too unique to be opened for tourists all the time. The Valley of Geysers’ ecosystem is very vulnerable, F_____ and regulate the visiting. In fact, the larger part of Kamchatka is preserved. There are many nature reserves and nature parks in Kamchatka.

which are depicted on most souvenirs there
so it is necessary to monitor it all the time
who love fishing, including Kamchatka bears
which has the second largest concentration of
to be a place of many water sources
to be a popular nature reserve and health resort
that makes it a place to visit when

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	1	5	3	4	2

Task 52

The life of Pi

«The Life of Pi» published in 2001 is the third book by the Canadian author Yann Martel. It has A_____, won several prizes and been translated into forty-one languages.

At the start of the book, we B____ in India. His father owns the city zoo and the family home is in the zoo. When they aren’t at school, Pi and his brother help their father at the zoo and he learns a lot about animals.

When Pi is sixteen, his parents decide to close the zoo and move to Canada. They travel by ship taking the animals with them. On the way, there is C_____. Sadly, Pi’s family and the sailors all die in the storm, but Pi lives and finds himself in a lifeboat with a hyena, zebra, orangutan and an enormous tiger. At first, Pi is scared of the animals and jumps into the ocean. Then he remembers there are sharks in the water and decides to climb back into the lifeboat. One by one, the animals in the lifeboat kill and eat each other, till only Pi and the tiger are left alive. Luckily for Pi, there is D_____, but he soon needs to start catching fish. He feeds the tiger to stop it killing and eating him. He also uses a whistle and E_____ and show it that he’s the boss.

Pi and the tiger spend 227 days in the lifeboat. They live through terrible storms and the burning heat of the Pacific sun. They are often hungry and ill. Finally, they arrive at the coast of Mexico, but you will have to F_____ in the end!

read the book to find out what happens
some food and water on the lifeboat
his knowledge of animals to control the tiger
received an award for being strong
sold seven million copies worldwide
learn about Pi’s childhood in Pondicherry
a terrible storm and the ship sinks

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	6	7	2	3	1

Task 53

Santa Claus

The man we know as Santa Claus has a history all to his own. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red, but his story A_____ the 3rd century to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 AD in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his kindness, St. Nicholas B_____. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. Over the course of many years, Nicholas’s popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day C_____ his death, December 6. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married. By the Renaissance, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe.

St. Nicholas first D______ at the end of the 18th century. The name Santa Claus evolved from a Dutch shortened form of Sint Nikolaas. As his popularity grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a jocker with a blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a huge pair of Flemish trousers.

In the 19th centuries big stores E_____ using images of the newly-popular Santa Claus. In 1841, thousands of children visited a Philadelphia shop to see a life-size Santa Claus model. It F_____ before stores began to attract children, and their parents, with the lure of a peek at the “real-life” Santa Claus with his famous white beard and red gown.

began to advertise Christmas shopping
became the subject of many legends
began dressing up unemployed men in
is celebrated on the anniversary of
was only a matter of time
stretches all the way back to
appeared in American popular culture

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	2	4	7	1	5

Task 54

Welcome to the Smithsonian

When you visit any of the Smithsonian’s 19 museums and galleries or the National zoo, you are entering the largest museum complex in the world. This complex holds about 137 million unique objects in its trust for the American people.

The Smithsonian was established in 1846 with funds given to the United States by James Smithson, an English scientist. The main idea was to increase and spread knowledge for free. And now all Smithsonian institutions are still devoted to public education, A__________ history.

Ten Smithsonian museums and galleries are located in the centre of the U.S. capital. Six other museums and the National zoo are nearby in the Washington metropolitan area, B__________.

The 19th and the newest museum C__________ is the National Museum of African American history and culture. It is now operating in the form of a virtual museum. Its key feature is the memory book, D__________. These diverse memories are linked to each other and to the museum content, E__________.

The Smithsonian complex is home to the world’s foremost research centres in science, the arts and the humanities. Besides the basic research F__________, there are a number of special facilities. Conservation centre at the zoo studies rare and endangered species, environment centre carries out research in ecosystems in the coastal area.

that is carried on regularly in each of the museums
providing different materials in the arts, science and
placing a spotlight on people and events in African American history
that has been established within the Smithsonian complex
which allows website visitors to upload their own stories or images
and visitors can enjoy watching rare exhibits on
and two museums are situated in New York City

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	7	4	5	3	1

Task 55

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art was created in Washington D.C. for the people of the United States in 1937. It started with the gift of the financier and art collector A__________. His gift also included a building to house the new museum, to be constructed on the National Mall. Opened to the public in 1941, this grand building, B__________, was at the time the largest marble structure in the world.

The newly created National Gallery soon attracted similar gifts from hundreds of other collectors. This tradition of generosity continues to this day with gifts from private donors and artists C__________.

The gallery’s East building contains the collection of modern and contemporary painting, sculpture, D__________. The East and West buildings are connected by an underground tunnel with a moving walkway.

The National Gallery enjoys federal support, E__________, to fulfill its mission to exhibit and interpret great works of European and American art in the nation’s collection. Since its founding, federal funds have fostered the protection and care of the art collection and have supported the gallery’s work, ensuring F__________. Private funding helped to create a renowned collection of works of art and to construct the two landmark buildings. Private support makes possible to arrange a changing programme of special exhibitions.

which is now called the West building
that the gallery brings daily profit to the country
who are willing to share their possessions with the public
who presented old master paintings and sculptures to the country
as well as partnership with private organizations
that the gallery is open daily and free of charge
as well as an advanced research centre and an art library

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	1	3	7	5	6

Task 56

Healthy school meals

Children at Southdown Infants School in Bath enjoy tasty homemade meals such as roast turkey with fresh vegetables, chicken, salad and fresh fruit for pudding. Vegetables are A ____________. Instead of crisps, chocolate and sweets, the school canteen serves organic carrots, dried fruit and fresh seasonal fruit in bags for 10p, B ______________.

Southdown’s healthy eating initiative began four years ago with the start of a breakfast club.

Now Ms Culley, the head teacher of the school, says that the teachers very clearly see the link between diet and concentration. “Children’s concentration and behaviour C ______________.” The teachers would also like to give the children the experience of eating together. It turned out that some children weren’t used to that.

Pupils are also encouraged to find out more about where their food comes from by D ______________.

Parents are also involved and are invited in to try school dinners on special occasions, E _______________.

The efforts of staff, pupils and parents to create a healthy eating environment were recognized earlier this month F ______________ the Best School Dinner award.

Ms Culley said: “We are happy to win this award. Healthy eating is at the centre of everything we do. It’s really rewarding to see so many children enjoy real food.”

such as Easter and Christmas
visiting a local farm
local, fresh and organic where possible
provide good quality food
definitely improve after a good meal
and about 100 bags are sold each day
when the school was awarded

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	6	5	2	1	7

Task 57

Walking is not enough to keep fit

Walking may not be enough on its own to produce significant health benefits, research suggests. A team from Canada’s University of Alberta compared a 10,000-step exercise programme with a more traditional fitness regime of moderate intensity. Researchers found improvements A _______ were significantly higher in the second group. They told an American College of Sports Medicine meeting that gentle exercise was B __________. In total 128 people took C _________. The researchers assessed influence on fitness by measuring blood pressure and lung capacity. They found out the 10,000-step programme did help to get people motivated – and was an excellent way to start D _________. But to increase the effectiveness, some intensity must be added to their exercise. “Across your day, while you are achieving those 10,000 steps, take 200 to 400 of them at a faster pace. You’ve got to do more than light exercise and include regular moderate activity, and don’t be shy to have an occasional period of time at an energetic level.” The researchers were concerned there was too much focus E __________, rather than on its intensity.

Professor Stuart Biddle, an expert in exercise science at the University of Loughborough, said it was possible that the current guidelines on how much exercise to take were set too low. “However, you have got to find F ____. The harder you make it, the fewer people will actually do it.” Professor Biddle said there was no doubt that energetic exercise was the way to get fit, but volume rather than intensity might be more useful in tackling issues such as obesity.

part in the project
taking exercise
gave marked health benefits
in fitness levels
on simply getting people to take exercise
not enough to get fit
a compromise between physiology and psychology

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	6	1	2	5	7

Task 58

Double-decker Bus

A double-decker bus is a bus that has two levels. While double-decker long-distance buses are in widespread use around the world, A ____. Double-decker buses are popular in some European cities and in some parts of Asia, usually in former British colonies. Many towns around the world have a few that specialize in short sight-seeing tours for tourists because, as William Gladstone observed, «the way to see London is from the top of a ‘bus'».

Double-decker buses are taller than other buses. They are extensively used in the United Kingdom, B _____, removed from normal service in December 2005 — they still operate on heritage routes. Elsewhere in Europe, double-deckers are used throughout the Dublin Bus network in Ireland, where they are making a comeback on Dublin’s outer suburban routes and also the streets of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. They are a common sight in Berlin, where the BVG makes extensive use of them. Double-decker long-distance coaches are also in widespread use throughout Europe.

Most buses in Hong Kong and about half in Singapore are double-deckers as well. The only areas in North America that C _____ are the western Canadian province of British Columbia and the United States city of Las Vegas. They are currently being tested in Ottawa on the express routes. The city of Davis, California, in the United States uses vintage double-decker buses for public transport. Davis, California is also home to the first vintage double-decker bus converted from diesel gasoline to run on CNG. The city of Victoria, BC, the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, and a couple of others use Dennis Tridents. A few are also used as tour buses, especially in New York. Double-deckers are have also been used in Mumbai since 1937.

In Brazil, D _____, some companies use double-decker buses. Double-deckers are not a good option for use outside the towns (most roads in Brazil are in very poor condition), and E _____.

Double-decker buses are in widespread use in India in many of the major cities. Some double-decker buses F _____, with no roof and shallow sides. These are popular for sightseeing tours.

double-deckers are adored by thousands of tourists
use double-decker buses for public transport
double-decker city buses are less common
where perhaps the most famous was the London Routemaster
their use is being discouraged by transportation authorities
have an open upper deck
where buses are sometimes the only interstate transport

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	4	2	7	5	6

Task 59

Natural Links In a Long Chain of Being

I believe we are not alone.

Even if I am on the other side of the world from the farmhouse I live in, I still dream of the ancient vines out the window, and the shed out back that my grandfather’s father built in 1870 with eucalyptus trunks. As long as I can recreate these images, A ____.

All of us need some grounding in our modern world of constant moving, buying, selling, meeting and leaving. Some find constancy in religion, others in friends or community. But we need some daily signposts that we are not different, not better, B ____.

For me, this house, farm, these ancient vines are those roots. Although I came into this world alone and will leave alone, I am not alone.

There are ghosts of dozens of conversations in the hallways, stories I remember about buying new plows that now rust in the barnyard and ruined crops from the same vines C ____.

All of us are natural links in a long chain of being, and that I need to know what time of day it is, what season is coming, whether the wind is blowing north or from the east, and if the moon is still full tomorrow night, D _____.

The physical world around us constantly changes, E _____. We must struggle in our brief existence to find some transcendent meaning and so find relief in the knowledge F _____.

You may find that too boring, living with the past as present. I find it refreshing. There is an old answer to every new problem, that wise whispers of the past are with us. If we just listen and remember, we are not alone; we have been here before.

I never quite leave home
but human nature does not
that we are now harvesting
but we as well as our heart did not
not worse than those who came before us
just as the farmers who came before me did
that our ancestors have gone through this before

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	5	3	6	2	7

Task 60

The Show Begins

My Uncle Jim took me to all the Broadway shows in New York City, and I was star struck! Actually he wasn’t my real uncle – that’s just what we called him. He was a close friend of my parents. He was a bit stocky with red hair, A _________.

I remember the theaters on Broadway, B __________. The curtains were made of this real heavy, dark red material. There were huge chandelier lights hanging from the ceiling. The walls were dark, paneled wood. The seats were red and cushy C __________.

The orchestra sat at the base of the stage in a pit. I usually went down to the front to see the musicians D __________. They were all crammed into such a tiny space. I played the flute myself and my dad kept encouraging me that if I kept it up, E ___________. But truly, I didn’t want to be tucked away down there. I wanted to be on top, front and center.

Most people dressed rather finely, and certain fragrances took center stage as various women passed by. The sounds of the audience F __________ at their seats were clearly heard while last minute patrons filled in. There was electricity in the air and then the lights would go down and up, and you knew it was time for the show to get started. The lights dimmed. The music began. And you were swept up into a whole new world. I loved it!

I could be playing down there someday
and set real close together
which were so old and posh
and he had a beard and moustache
I wasn’t that good at music
getting ready and warming up
laughing and chattering away

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	3	2	6	1	7

Task 61

Scouting moves ahead

The Scout Movement, which is also known as the Boy Scouts has changed massively in more than 100 years, though many people do not realise this.

For many people in Britain the word “scouting” evokes images of boys in short trousers A__________. Many people imagine that the Scout Association and its female counterpart the Guides Association are old-fashioned. They think these associations are for people B__________ than the future, people who just like camping in the rain and washing in cold water.

It’s quite easy to understand why Scouts and Guides have this sort of image. The “Boy Scouts” were founded over 100 years ago by Robert Baden-Powell, a retired English army general; the “Girl Guides” followed three years later. They were organised in an almost military manner. Young people had to learn discipline and how to do things as a group. They C__________ in difficult conditions, learnt to make campfires and, yes, they certainly had to get used to washing in cold water. In those days though, that D__________ many people washed in cold water.

Nevertheless, even at the start, there was much more to scouting than that. Scouts and Guides also learned the value of solidarity. Right from the start, they had to cope with difficult situations, E__________, and play a useful part in society. Baden-Powell’s organisations were inclusive, and never exclusive; any young person could become a Scout or a Guide, regardless of race, background or religion.

Though the Scout and Guide movements began in England, they soon spread to other countries, and within 50 years, scouting F__________ with young people all over the world.

who are more interested in the past
and girls in blue uniforms
that were generally better
was not particularly unusual as
went on camping expeditions
interact with other people
had become a popular activity

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	1	5	4	6	7

Task 62

Skip the sun, get a glow the healthy way

Everyone at some point has wanted a “healthy glow,” whether it’s a must-have for summer, or a vacation, the thought of tan skin has crossed the minds of millions. If you are pale, it A__________. There is wild excitement when after a day in the sun your skin is tan, not burnt. Surely everyone is familiar with the famous conversation upon the realization that you got fried at the beach. Your friends reassure you with “Don’t worry it B__________.” It may all seem like fun and games at the time, but alarming new research C__________.

Some tan-seekers do it the old-fashioned way, grab a towel and hit the pool or beach. Recently, millions of young girls D__________ instead. Regardless of how the tan is achieved, any change in skin coloring is evidence of skin cell damage. This can lead to cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma, or skin cancer, among people aged 18 to 39 has risen dramatically. In the United States the number of skin cancer cases due to tanning, is higher than the number of lung cancer cases due to smoking.

While it is true that being outside and active is great for your body and the sun does provide vitamin D, everyone’s health still needs protecting. However, it’s E__________, limit time spent in direct sunlight, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear sunscreen at all times. A fashionable option is the sun hat: both elegant and fun. Big floppy hats may seem ridiculous at first, but F__________.

Another advice is to look into sunless tanners: They are cheap and in no way endanger the lives of users. So, fake it, don’t bake it!

takes a lot of time and effort to tan
have been turning to tanning beds
they are actually quite classy accessories
better to avoid indoor tanning
have inspired people to get their skin checked
will eventually turn into a tan
has taken the healthy out of healthy glow

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	6	7	2	4	3

Task 63

Grant-making agency

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government. Established in 1965, it is one of the largest sources of grant funds for humanities projects and programs in the U.S. NEH promotes knowledge of the history, thought, and culture, not only of the United States, A__________.

NEH grants facilitate research and original scholarship, strengthen teaching and learning in the humanities in American schools and colleges, give opportunities for citizens to engage in lifelong learning, B__________.

The Endowment is directed by a chairman, C__________ and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a term of four years. Advising the chairman is the National Council on the Humanities, a board of 26 distinguished private citizens D__________ with the advice of the Senate. The National Council members serve six-year terms.

NEH grants are typically awarded to U.S. cultural institutions, such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, and public television and radio stations, E__________. Eligibility is limited to U.S. non-profit institutions and to U.S. citizens and foreigners F__________ prior to the time of application. Grants are awarded through a competitive process. The chairman takes into account the advice provided by the review process and, by law, makes all funding decisions.

who is appointed by the president
but of other countries of the world
but in every aspect of social sciences
who are also appointed by the president
who have been living in the U.S. for three years
as well as to individual scholars of the humanities
as well as provide access to cultural and educational resources

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	7	1	4	6	5

Task 64

The Bonfire Night

The 5th of November has always had a very special place in my heart. More important than New Year’s Eve, but probably less important than the Olympics ceremonies, the 5th of November every year is A __________ all over the country to go wild!

The night of the 5th is often cold and damp and parents wrap up their children in layers of jumpers, coats, hats, scarves and gloves. They fuss over the littlest B __________ aren’t scared. They comfort their pets and give them a safe place to curl up inside, away from the cacophony about to start outside.

Outside the bonfire is C __________ up your nose. If you’re lucky, there might be some pumpkin soup left over from Halloween to warm you up, because in spite of all the layers and the excitement, you’ll still need warming up until the bonfire gets going!

When it’s absolutely dark and the bonfire is blazing, the children and parents huddle together in groups, staring up at the sky. What are they waiting for? The screech of the first firework deafens them all and D __________. The “oohs” and “aaahs” of the crowd keep perfect time with the “kabooms” of the rockets. With every firework that lights up the sky, parents watch the delight grow on their children’s faces and sigh with relief.

After the grand finale, they make their way home with the noises still echoing in their ears. An extra special treat E __________! Waving them through the chilly air, spelling out names and drawing pictures, even the oldest members of the family remember how to be kids!

This is what the 5th of November means to me. Every year, it F __________ such bright and colourful fireworks and heard such loud bangs. I really hope I never grow out of it!

differences in traditions
children and hope that they
the day for fireworks lovers
the explosion lights up the sky
feels like the first time I’ve seen
waits at home though: sparklers
lit and the smell of smoke creeps

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	2	7	4	6	5

Task 65

Earth-sheltered homes

Earth-sheltered or simply underground homes are one of those creations by man, which brings him closer to nature. Unlike the normal traditional houses that A __________, these earth-sheltered homes are built using the shelter of the ground. Earth-sheltered homes can be easily made in hilly areas.

The basic idea behind the construction of such a house is that they are built with the idea of B ________ and each of these homes is built entirely different from each other.

The construction of these homes is usually done according to the shape of the area where the house is built. Their designs C ________ to the nature. The early earth houses which were initially built lacked windows. Modern day earth-sheltered homes though have windows as well as any other facility that the people living there might require.

Some of the major benefits of earth-sheltered homes are that they are naturally insulating. This makes them cool in the summer and cozy and warm in the winter. Another advantage D __________ and are well protected from earthquakes as well as wind-storms. Many earth-sheltered homes are also defended against intruders since there is usually only one entry.

As everything has its pros and cons, earth-sheltered homes also do. The interior decoration of these homes, like placing the furniture or huge paintings, E __________. These homes also have dark spaces inside and for this reason, lots of lighting is essential.

Earth-sheltered homes are one of the greenest housing designs that combines Mother Nature with eco-friendly F __________.

are built on the ground
are usually very organic
is being built facing south
being environmentally friendly
building materials and lifestyle
is that these homes are safe from fire
can be difficult due to the construction

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	4	2	6	7	5

Task 66

Australia

Australia is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse nations. Nearly a quarter of the people who live in Australia A __________. They come from the United Kingdom and other European countries, but also from China, Vietnam, North Africa, and the Middle East.

First people arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago. They B __________ land bridges when sea levels were lower. The next to land in Australia were Dutch explorers. They came in 1606. In 1788 the British began to settle there. Many settlers C __________ as punishment. For a short time, the newcomers lived peacefully with the Aboriginal people.

In 1851, gold was discovered in Australia. A rush to find riches brought D __________ 1859, six separate colonies were created which later became part of the British Commonwealth.

Australian culture is founded on stories of battlers, bushrangers and brave soldiers. Today E __________ its Aboriginal heritage, vibrant mix of cultures, innovative ideas and a thriving ecosystem.

Australia’s ecosystem is an unusual one because of its remote location. As a result, there are F __________ and nowhere else in the world, such as kangaroo and koala.

One of Australia’s most amazing sites rises like an enormous whale’s back from a flat desert called the Red Center. It is a sacred natural formation at the heart of the country and the largest rock in the world!

Australia is one of the most
were born in other countries
Australia also defines itself by
many animal species that occur here
may have travelled from Asia across
thousands of new immigrants, and by
were criminals sent to live in Australia

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	5	7	6	3	4

Task 67

Living nature in Madeira

Right in the middle of the Atlantic, the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo are a haven of natural beauty. The exotic colours of the flowers stand out from among the blue sea and the emerald green vegetation. This is an archipelago where the big territory is a protected area and A __________ is located.

The Madeira Natural Park was created in 1982 to preserve this vast natural heritage, a worldwide rarity. The park is classified as a Biogenetic Reserve, B __________, with some rare species such as the mountain orchid, unique in the world, and also some exotic large trees. To visit this park is to discover Nature! The park covers about two-thirds of the island, making Madeira a truly ecological destination.

The springtime temperature, C __________, cries out for open air activities. Visitors can go for a walk in the park, visit the city of Funchal or roam freely around the island. Boat rides are an excellent way of D __________. In such a naturally welcoming environment, balance and well-being are taken for granted. Madeira offers various tourist complexes E __________.

Popular feasts, F __________, are opportunities to appreciate traditional gastronomic flavours and see Madeira partying, especially for the Carnival parades, the Flower festival, the Atlantic festival and, above all, the end-of-year fireworks display.

which is felt all year round
which take place in Madeira all year round
where the largest laurel forest in the world
admiring the coastline from a different perspective
where one can find a unique range of flora and fauna
choosing this holiday destination for its natural beauty
that have prime conditions for boating and scuba diving

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	5	1	4	7	2

Task 68

Wild animals in cities

Have you ever seen bears in Vancouver parks, leopards on the streets of Mumbai or wild pigs in gardens in Berlin? Recently, there A __________ on TV about big animals coming into towns and cities. What happens when wild animals come into our cities? Is it dangerous for us and the animals?

Wild animals usually come into cities to look for food. In Cape Town, South Africa, baboons sometimes come into the suburbs. They eat fruit from gardens and go into people’s kitchens and take food from cupboards and fridges! Baboons are B __________ children and fight with pet dogs. Many people do not like them, but the city can be dangerous for baboons too. Sometimes, baboons are C __________ human food can be very bad for their teeth. The city council in Cape Town has a team of Baboon Monitors whose job is to find baboons D ___________ to the countryside. This makes the city safer for people and is healthier for the baboons. However, the main problem is that a lot of baboons will come back to the city to find food again.

In Berlin, Germany, groups of wild pigs have come into the city for hundreds of years, but now the winters are warmer, there are even more pigs than in the past. Pigs eat flowers and plants and dig in gardens and parks in the city. They also E __________ accidents. Some city residents like the pigs and give them food. But the city council is worried about the traffic accidents, so they F __________ have put up fences to stop the pigs coming into the city.

cause lots of problems
in the city and take them back
walk in the street and cause traffic
hurt in car accidents and the sugar in
strong animals and sometimes they scare
have been many reports in newspapers and
have told people to stop giving the pigs food and

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	5	4	2	3	7

Task 69

Europe’s best hidden gems

There are incredible destinations in Europe known worldwide, such as Amsterdam and its canals, London and its museums, its shopping and atmosphere, or Paris, the City of Light. Europe also has thousands of hidden treasures. There is a wide selection of the finest unknown destinations in Europe, from Lugano in Switzerland A __________.

Lugano is an international city, the crossroads and melting pot of European culture. It constitutes one of the most interesting regions to be discovered. Lugano is not only Switzerland’s third most important financial centre, B __________ old buildings.

The area of Cinque Terre in Italy represents one of the best preserved natural sights of the Mediterranean. Human activity has contributed to creating a unique landscape in which the development of typical stone walls is so extensive C __________. All this, D __________, makes the Cinque Terre an increasingly popular location among Italian and foreign tourists.

Sintra is a jewel set between the mountains and the sea, waiting to be discovered by tourists E __________, luxuriant nature and cosmopolitan cultural offer. Sintra has a wonderful charm that left a deep impression on the soul and work of the writers F __________. Sintra is truly the capital of Romanticism. It is a place to be experienced by everyone!

but showed evidence of an early human housing
to Cinque Terre in Italy and Sintra in Portugal
as to equal that of the famous Great Wall of China
but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and
who want to be lost in its majestic historical heritage
combined with the beauty of a crystal clear sea
who pioneered the Romantic spirit in the eighteenth century

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	4	3	6	5	7

Task 70

Beautiful cities of Italy

The political and cultural centre of Italy is the ‘Eternal City’, Rome. Ever since the Roman Empire, as its capital, Rome has become famous as a centre of European culture. The most striking sights of Rome are, of course, the Colosseum and the Forum. Once the Colosseum was able to receive about 50 thousand spectators, A __________ and concert halls. The Pantheon, the old temple of all gods, B __________, is also located in Rome.

The second most important town in Italy is Milan. Milan is the capital of fashion and C __________, exhibitions and conferences. The main attraction of Milan is its Cathedral Square, where the monument to the King Victor Emmanuel II is installed. Theatre fans will not be left disappointed by visiting the Theatre of La Scala.

The most popular city among tourists is Venice. The city is unique because it has more than 120 islands, D __________ and 400 bridges. Venice has been known for more than fifteen hundred years, and for E __________. The main area of the city is Saint Mark’s Square with the Cathedral of San Marco. One of the most beautiful buildings in Venice is the Palace of Doges. The other famous attraction is the Grand Canal F______.

In addition to this, there are such beautiful cities in Italy as Naples, Turin, Florence, Genoa, Pisa and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. All of them are outstanding places to visit.

that is the largest in Venice
which was built in the early I century
that everyone is dreaming about this trip
which is comparable with modern stadiums
which are сonnected by more than 150 canals
the venue for major international festivals
that time it produced a lot of attractions

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
4	2	6	5	7	1

Task 71

City of fountains

Peterhof is a monument of world architecture and palace and park art. Peterhof includes a palace and park ensemble of the 18-19th centuries, A__________. Peterhof is a city of fountains as it contains 173 fountains and 4 cascades B__________. Each year up to 3 million people come here to enjoy the splendour of numerous fountains and the unique parks of Peterhof.

The name Peterhof was first mentioned in 1705. It was a coastal manor, close to which the construction of a grand country residence began. The original plan belonged to Peter the Great. After the brilliant victory of Russian troops over the Swedes, security of St. Petersburg both from the land C__________. Since that time, the construction of the Peterhof residence grew immensely in scope.

According to the plan of Peter the Great, on the one hand, Peterhof was meant to be equal in splendour with the most famous royal residences in Europe, D__________ to access the Baltic Sea. Both were successfully done. The Great Palace was built on a natural hill here, E__________. Following the plan of Peter the Great, F__________, the Grand Cascade with the famous Samson fountain was constructed. This is still one of the most spectacular fountains in the world. In 1990 the palaces and parks of Peterhof were included in the list of the world heritage of UNESCO.

and from the sea has been firmly ensured
which is a former royal countryside residence
who designs many royal residences in Europe
and then rebuilt in the baroque style in the 18th century
who wanted to decorate the main entrance with waterfalls
that are located in the park on the coast of the Gulf of Finland
and on the other hand, to become a monument of Russia’s struggle

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	6	1	7	4	5

Task 72

Sights of Sochi

Sochi is unique among other Russian cities because it has many aspects of a subtropical resort. Apart from the scenic Caucasus Mountains, pebble and sand beaches, the city attracts tourists with its vegetation, numerous parks, monuments, and extravagant architecture. About two million people visit Greater Sochi each summer, A__________. The famous Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, B__________, lies just north from the city.

Popularity of Sochi among tourists is largely explained by the beauty of its surroundings. Walking along the river Agura, everyone will admire the nature around, C__________, and amazing waterfalls. From the bridge over the Agura opens a magnificent view to the lowest Agura waterfall. In the shady Agura gorge tourists will feel the gentle coolness, D__________.

Akhun Mountain the biggest in the region has a beautiful tower on the top. The height of the tower is more than 30 metres, E__________ are stunning. The observation platform on the top of the tower gives a chance to take superb pictures of the city. Every year thousands of people visit this stone tower, F__________ the perfect view of the Black Sea coast and the Caucasus Mountains. It is a truly unforgettable experience. Tourists will enjoy visiting all the sights and the resort itself, full of exotic green and the boundless blue of the Black Sea.

and the views that open from it
which is built on the top to give visitors
when the subtropical resort is almost empty
which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
enjoying the sound of birds singing and waterfalls gurgling
when the city is home to the annual film festival “Kinotavr”
including high cliffs, exotic vegetation, breathtaking canyons

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
6	4	7	5	1	2

Task 73

Saint Petersburg

A city of palaces and museums, broad avenues and narrow canals, St. Petersburg’s short history is rich in architectural and artistic treasures. Alongside world-famous attractions such as the Hermitage and St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the city has a lot of equally interesting buildings A__________. St. Petersburg is considered to be Russia’s cultural capital. It reflects the country’s extraordinary fate like no other city.

St. Petersburg is a relatively young city, by both Russian and European standards, as B__________. Despite its short life, the city has a rich history. From the early days of Peter the Great to modern times, the city has always bustled with life and intrigue.

Lying across the delta of the Neva River, St. Petersburg, the Venice of the North, is a city C__________, some of which are well-known for their unique history. Bridges are an essential part of the city’s architectural make-up. Among the city’s over 500 bridges, there are numerous technological masterpieces. The centre of the city offers vast areas of green space, D__________.

St. Petersburg is a beautiful and fascinating holiday destination and one E__________. Whether to visit the city in a romantic and snowy Russian winter F__________, visitors will be spellbound by
St. Petersburg’s culture and beauty.

that is built on hundreds of islands
or during the dazzling white nights in summer
it was only founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great
or considering a variety of the trip accommodation offers
that reveal the mysterious and tragic genius of St. Petersburg
of the most intriguing and historically significant cities in Europe
including beautiful historic gardens and extensive leisure parks

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
5	3	1	7	6	2

Task 74

State Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage is St. Petersburg’s most popular visitor attraction, and one of the world’s largest and most prestigious museums. It is a must-see for all first-time travellers to the city. With over 3 million items in its collection, it also rewards repeat visits, A__________ of the riches on offer here, from Impressionist masterpieces to fascinating Oriental treasures. It was estimated B__________ on display for just one minute. So many visitors prefer a guided tour to ensure C__________ highlights. Art-lovers, however, may find it more rewarding to seek out for themselves the works D__________.

The bulk of the Hermitage collection is housed in the Winter Palace, E__________. However, there are a number of other sites that constitute part of the Hermitage, including the recently opened Storage Facility in the north of St. Petersburg. It offers guided tours through some of the museum’s vast stocks. The magnificent General Staff Building opposite the Winter Palace is most famous for its central triumphal arch, F__________ Nevsky Prospekt. The General Staff Building contains a number of unique exhibitions. It includes the Modern European Art, probably the most visited section of the Hermitage with well-known collections of Picasso and Matisse, as well as a wealth of popular Impressionist paintings.

that they are particularly interested in
that they have time to catch all the collection’s
and new-comers can only hope to get a brief taste
which brings pedestrians out on to Palace Square from
that one would need eleven years to view each exhibit
which was the official residence of the Russian emperors
and the exhibition was often visited by military historians

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
3	5	2	1	6	4

Task 75

Letniy Sad

Letniy Sad (The Summer Garden) is a park ensemble, a monument of landscape art of the 18th century. Letniy Sad is the oldest park in St. Petersburg. The park was founded by Peter I in 1704. The Tsar dreamed of his own Versailles and drew its original plan himself. He planned to create a regular, architectural park with accurate layout and straight paths. Prominent architects and gardeners took part in its creation. The park was supposed to become a place of relaxation, A__________.

Letniy Sad is surrounded by water. Natural boundary of the park from the north and east are the Neva and Fontanka Rivers, B__________.

Peter I brought sculptures from Italy for the park and was very proud of them. In the 18th century there were more than two hundred sculptures, C__________, or moved to suburban royal residences and the Hermitage. Now Letniy Sad is decorated with 90 sculptures – copies made of artificial marble.

In May, 2012 Letniy Sad was opened after reconstruction. The reconstruction work had been going on for about three years, D__________ Letniy Sad as it was in the 18th century. Among the new items in Letniy Sad, there is the Archaeological Museum, E__________ during the restoration of the park. Visitors can take a tour of the park F__________ on Sundays.

and restorers have done everything possible to keep
combining the features of urban and suburban estates
which are planned to be the centre of scientific research
which contains interesting objects found by archaeologists
but later many of them were either destroyed in the flood
and enjoy the exhibitions and performances of a brass band
and from the south and west – the Moika River and the Lebyazhiy Canal

Ответ	A	B	C	D	E	F
2	7	5	1	4	6

Источник

Тестирование в форме ЕГЭ, представлено написание сочинения по теме «Social netwok», дано как образец написания сочинения на любую тему, выдержаны смысловые абзацы, употреблены link-words. Данное сочинение было написано на недавнем ЕГЭ, за него было получено хорошее число баллов.

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«Тестирование в форме ЕГЭ по английскому, образец сочинения «Social network» »

Social networks

1. Social networks are becoming more and more popular and lots of people spend hours in front of their computers, chatting with friends. Some are considered that social networks can replace real life communication one day. I think that there is nothing to worry about and people will always prefer meeting their friends in real life.

2. On the one hand, social networks help people to keep in touch with their relatives or friends, who live far away from them. For example, I have many friends from different cities and even countries. What is more, social networks help us to relax after school or work. Finally, you can play games, listen to music and watch videos in social networks, so it’s a good way to spend your free time.

3. On the other hand, some people say that social networks can substitute real life communication someday. In my opinion, it is always much more interesting to spend time with friends in real life. Moreover, parents are worried that their children spend too much time online. I think it is normal for teenagers to spend lots of time in the Internet.

4. In conclusion, I think that real life cannot be replaced by social networks. People will always find time to see their friends and relatives. Chatting online is quite interesting, but it is much more pleasant to simply walk down the street with a friend.

Источник

1) Установите соответствие между заголовками 1 — 8 и текстами A — G. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний.

1. Online community
2. Travel safety
3. Friend turned enemy
4. Social network safety
5. Unhelpful friends
6. Nature’s enemy
7. Online trouble
8. Helping the community

A. Have you ever had a friend who asks for favours all the time, but rarely gives them in return? They don’t think twice about asking you to do something for them, and whenever you bring up the problem, they brush it off as if it’s no big deal. Or they say that’s what friends are for, to help one another. It’s then that you realise they’re not much of a friend.

B. Joining a neighbourhood clean-up effort is an inspiring thing to do. It’s a direct way of making a difference in your world, and it helps improve your living standards. It’s also a great opportunity for getting to know the people who live near you, which might be useful when you’re in need, and vice versa. If your neighbourhood doesn’t do this sort of thing, now’s the time to start.

C. If you’ve ever had your identity stolen, you’re not alone. It happens to millions of people every year, and thieves gain millions of pounds from the activity. It often happens because a hacker has broken into our accounts by way of a computer virus we accidentally downloaded. If it happens to you, make sure you let your banks know to get your bank cards cancelled, and tell the police.

D. Belonging to a social network is a useful pastime. It gives us an opportunity to share our thoughts and news with a like-minded group of individuals all at once. We can even meet new people who either agree with our ideas or contribute to a constructive debate. It’s entertaining to read everyone’s posts, which are sometimes funny but can also be thought-provoking, or maybe even sad. It’s a useful experience nonetheless.

E. Whenever you go abroad, you must keep an eye on your belongings. You don’t want to become a victim of pick-pocketing. A useful tip is to place your money in your front pocket, as it’s less likely to be stolen there. It’s also wise to have your passport put away safely, or kept inside your jacket. Keep things zipped up, and never leave a bag unattended.

F. When we discard plastic items carelessly, an animal may find it and have an unfortunate incident. For example, the plastic rings that go round a six-pack of drinks cans can get stuck round a small animal’s neck. The animal might wear that piece of plastic for the rest of its life, or until someone comes along and removes it. We really should be mindful of where we throw things.

G. It’s a terrible feeling when you realise someone close to you is saying bad things about you behind your back. You feel humiliated and angry on learning the truth, that someone you trusted isn’t trustworthy at all. You confront them about it, and they deny ever saying anything. An argument may follow, but eventually you decide that this isn’t the kind of person you want to spend time with.

A	B	C	D	E	F	G

2) Прочитайте текст и заполните пропуски A — F частями предложений, обозначенными цифрами 1 — 7. Одна из частей в списке 1—7 лишняя.

Indian food in the UK

The British have had a close relationship with Indian food for centuries. The colonial ties between India and the UK began in the early 1600s, ___ (A).

In the late 1700s it wasn’t uncommon to see coffee houses serving curries alongside traditional British meals. The first dedicated Indian restaurant opened its doors in London in 1809, although it struggled due to peoples preferences to eat at home during that period. The owner ended up closing its doors after about three decades of service ___ (B).

When Queen Victoria staffed her kitchen with Indian cooks, popularity for the cuisine really took off. Cookbooks taught British homemakers how ___ (C).

There was then a cooling-off period for this spicy fare. A revolt in India against British rule in 1857 meant curry wouldn’t be so fashionable for a while. In the years after that, its popularity would ebb and flow, and by the late 1800s, ___ (D).

In the early 20th century, many people from the Indian subcontinent were migrating to Britain, and they bought up some of the run-down restaurants and transformed them into curry houses. Aware of people’s eating habits, Bangladeshi restaurateurs stayed open until late into the evening ___ (E). Soon enough, Indian food was popular again.

Today, there are hundreds of Indian restaurants across the UK. Some dishes have been modified to a certain extent, such as British versions which introduce beef into the recipe, ___ (F). Overall, the cuisine has become such a mainstay of the British diet that chicken tikka masala is referred to as a national dish.

1. French rather than Indian cooking was popular in British kitchens
2. an ingredient rarely used in India because many sub-cultures don’t allow it
3. due to some versions of Indian cuisine becoming popular for breakfast
4. due to the struggle of paying his bills while suffering from a lack of business
5. and the British soldiers in India craved the food when they returned home
6. to catch people when they were returning home from a night out
7. to make the most flavourful Indian dishes in their own homes

A	B	C	D	E	F

3) Прочитайте текст и запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Показать текст. ⇓

In what way did the author sympathise with the lead actor?
1) She was mainly concerned about her illness.
2) She worried that the actor may never perform again.
3) She felt it must be hard to accept the situation.
4) She felt the actor had been put under too much pressure.

4) Прочитайте текст и запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Показать текст. ⇓

The expression ‘steal her thunder’ in the second paragraph means…
1) take a possession.
2) make someone feel bad about something.
3) take someone’s glory.
4) make a strong impression.

5) Прочитайте текст и запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Показать текст. ⇓

What does the author say about her preparations as an understudy?
1) The duties are largely unappreciated by others.
2) There is no one there to share the pain with.
3) She has to learn the role better than the actor she’s replacing.
4) She’s not required to do anything other than learn the main role.

6) Прочитайте текст и запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Показать текст. ⇓

Before the author learnt she would be playing the lead, she…
1) never thought the day would come.
2) hoped the day would never come.
3) did everything she could to prepare for it.
4) tried to get other roles in the play.

7) Прочитайте текст и запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Показать текст. ⇓

What happened when the director broke the news to the author?
1) She lost her strength and balance.
2) She made a terrible face.
3) She expressed that she didn’t think she was ready.
4) She was overcome with joy.

Прочитайте текст и запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Показать текст. ⇓

‘It’ in ‘I hadn’t thought about it before’ in the fifth paragraph refers to…
1) the role of Lady Macbeth.
2) being centre stage.
3) backing out of a commitment.
4) remembering her lines.

9) Прочитайте текст и запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Показать текст. ⇓

What concerned the author about the announcement?
1) What her fellow actors would think.
2) What the director thought.
3) What the audience would think.
4) What the director would actually say.

Источник

foLegend says there used to be times when social media didn’t exist. Back then, people didn’t rely on social networks to keep in touch with friends and families.

Sounds weird, doesn’t it?

These days we can’t imagine life without social media. Although a relatively new phenomenon, they’ve taken the world by storm. But where did it all start?

Gather round, children, today’s story is about social networks history.

But first, let us define what social media actually is. The term ‘social media’ references websites and applications that allow users to create and share content. They also allow us to communicate with each other, via comments, likes, and chats.

Finally, we have profiles on those websites, which we can update with personal information — education level, work position, and relationship status.

Well, as with every other thing that has ever become popular, at the beginning social media wasn’t that loved. Last year people spent an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes on social networks.

Once upon a time…

Social media history is born with the creation of the internet in the 20th century. Humans almost immediately figured a way to use it to communicate. Ray Tomlinson sent the first email in 1971. He said the message wasn’t very creative and it most probably said something like ‘qwertyuiop’. Today we have email marketing and more than 306 billion emails are sent every day.

The first creation, resembling social media, found its way into the world seven years later, in 1978. It was called Bulletin Board System, BBS for short.

Ward Christensen and Randy Suess — the creators — wanted to allow users to share information, such as meeting times, and to download files. One could access it over the telephone lines using a modem. That surely sounds magical to some.

The next year, the first social media, Usenet was born, thanks to Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis. It had a similar idea to BBS. Users could post messages, articles, and information of all sorts to categories, known as ‘newsgroups’. Usenet was a hybrid of sorts between email and modern-day forums.

10 years later, in 1988, the world saw the rise of IRC — Internet Relay Chat, created by Jarkko Oikarinen. It allowed users to exchange text messages in real-time with people all over the world. That was the birth of chatting.

Still, the actual history of social media only begins with the first-ever social networking site. Back in 1994, David Bohnett and John Rezner created GeoCities. It was a web hosting service and users could build their own sites within the platform.

They chose ‘cities’ where to place their personal pages, with every ‘city’ carrying the name of a real place. Sites were allocated to ‘cities’ by topic. For example, educational sites were in ‘Athens’ and the fashion ones on ‘Fashion Avenue’. GeoCities was acquired by Yahoo in 1999 and got shut down in 2009.

In 1997, the social network SixDegrees was born. The name was derived from the six degrees of separation theory. You’ve probably heard about it because of Kevin Bacon.

But wait.

What does Kevin Bacon have to do with it?

Absolutely nothing. The concept claims that all people on the planet are six or even fewer social connections away from each other. It all started from a silly game, called ‘Six degrees of Kevin Bacon’. The players had to connect any actor to Kevin Bacon using the six degrees theory.

We can thank Andrew Weinreich for ‘Six degrees’. It allowed users to create profiles, add friends and relatives, and invite new people to join the network. Everyone could also post stuff on their bulletin boards and see their connection to other users on the site.

Unfortunately, SixDegrees’ lifespan was pretty short — it was shut down in 2000.

1997 was also the birth year of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). While not a social network per se, it still aimed to give users an online presence. Just like IRC before it, AIM’s idea was for users to exchange text messages in real time.

The 21st century is seeing something we like to call the social media boom.

In 2002, Friendster launched. It was the first network to allow sharing of photos and videos. Friendster also allowed comments on other users’ posts for the first time.

Friendster spread like wildfire. For the first three months, it had acquired over 3 million users and that number eventually grew to over 115 million.

However, MOL Global bought it and Friendster became a gaming website.

In 2015 it shut down, due to tough competition.

Now we have finally reached the boiling point of social networks history.

Guess who’s turn it is?

LinkedIn’s.

That’s right, LinkedIn is one of the oldest social media platforms around. It was ‘born’ in 2003. It was founded by Reid Hoffman, Allen Blue, Konstantin Guericke, Eric Ly and Jean-Luc Vaillant.

Unlike the other social media platforms, LinkedIn was (and is) entirely work-oriented. It allowed people to connect with colleagues and find school contacts. Companies could create their own pages, post job offers and recruit people.

You’re probably asking yourselves: “But wait, when did Myspace start then?”

The very same year, actually. It was founded by Chris DeWolfe, Tom Anderson, and Jon Hart. At first, it was used mainly by musicians.

Two years later, Myspace became the largest social media platform and it held that title until 2009. It was especially popular among younger users. It allowed huge freedom when it came to customization.

You could use a lot of funky features on your personal page. You could include music playing every time a user visited your profile, cool cursors, changing backgrounds, etc.

But who stole Myspace’s crown?

Drumroll, please.

Facebook Enters the Game

In 2004, the history of social media was being rewritten and we were yet to realize it.

On the 4th of February Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollom, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes launched the platform that shut many old social networks down. Facebook is to this day the biggest social media platform.

It was initially intended as a social media platform, exclusive to Harvard students. But the idea behind it spread like wildfire. Facebook eventually grew to become a worldwide phenomenon.

The thing with Facebook is that users enter their real names, post actual photos of themselves and provide authentic information. There are of course exceptions, but those are beside the point.

As children, adults always warned us against posting personal information on the internet. Now we have Facebook, turning the world upside-down.

Facebook users can share anything from their personal life with their friends and in some cases, well, total strangers. Also, any updates from their friends show up directly on their newsfeed. Actually, the newsfeed was one of Facebook’s revolutionary features.

Another key element — Facebook is always changing. The people behind it are updating it ofter, in an effort to keep up with the latest social media demands.

Enter 2006 and the birth of Twitter, thanks to Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams.

Twitter is a microblogging platform, where users post short status updates, known as ‘tweets’. Up until 2017, the limit for a tweet was 140 characters. Now it’s double — at 280. This character limit is Twitter’s trademark trait.

People love Twitter. Actors, musicians, TV hosts, politicians, and authors all seem to take full advantage of their accounts. Before this social media platform, interacting with your favorite celebrities in such a way was unheard of. This option is part of what makes Twitter shine. Twitter is also used as an online news platform. This is where hashtags and the ‘Trending’ section, which indicates the most tweeted hashtags worldwide, come into play. Thanks to Twitter’s hashtags, news spread around the globe faster than TV and newspapers can ever get a hold of them. In fact, these days most news channels get theirs from Twitter and likewise social media platforms.

Social networks leave a footprint in the news channels’ history too.

Speaking of microblogging, we can’t just pass Tumblr.

Tumblr is the perfect mix of a microblogging platform and a social network. David Karp founded it in 2007. It allowed users to create personal blogs and post multimedia content or texts on it. Aside from the pronounced blogger’s vibe that Tumblr exudes, its dashboard is actually quite similar to that of Facebook.

It quickly became the meeting place for people from different fandoms. Fandoms are mini online societies, that consist of fans of different pop culture phenomenon, such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Taylor Swift, etc. On Tumblr, they can share fan art, fanfiction stories, fan clips — and express their opinions and theories freely.

Among Tumblr users, one can find A-list celebrities, like Taylor Swift herself or famous authors, like Neil Gaiman. The platform attracts people from all walks of life.

Because of the vast amount (and variety) of erotic content on Tumblr, the platform has been banned in China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Iran. Quite the record in the history of social media.

After Verizon Media acquired Tumblr in 2017, they have started a censorship campaign, banning explicit sexual images and GIFs.

Social media really does offer everything, huh?

And now that we’ve mentioned images, it’s time to introduce Instagram and Snapchat to our walk down social networks history.

It’s an Instagrammable World

It’s not often that the name of a social media becomes an adjective, used in everyday life. But Instagram managed to achieve that.

Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger created it and it launched in 2010. Ever since its popularity has been growing steadily. It has now become one of the Big Three of social networks history — standing proudly alongside Facebook and Twitter.

Although Facebook bought it in 2012, no one really sees them as one whole. Besides, they don’t really serve the same purpose.

Instagram’s idea is simple. Users share photos and videos on their personal profiles. Nothing new here so far.

They can, however, can edit content with various filters. People organize photos via locations and hashtags. You can then use those hashtags to find similar content as well.

Instagram has also taken care of the basics. Users can like and comment on others’ profiles, as well as send private messages. They can follow each other so that others’ content shows up on their feed. The feed is — you guessed it — Instagram’s version of Facebook’s newsfeed.

Instagram also launched stories, which allow users to post photos and videos, that disappear after 24 hours. The feature was launched as an answer to Instagram’s competitor, Snapchat.

Wait, wait.

What is Snapchat?

The best way to describe Snapchat would be “multimedia messaging app”. The creators Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown launched it in 2011.

It’s like a chat app but exclusively with photos and videos. They show up for a short period of time, before disappearing forever. Snapchat also has ‘Stories’, which unlike the other content, stay up for the impressive 24 hours.

It also has filters, the most famous one being the one with the dog ears. You’ve probably seen it everywhere — it’s a definite users’ favorite.

Seeing the craze around social media, Google decided to take matters in their own hands.

Thus, Google+ was born.

Google+ and Why It Failed

Google+ was created by Vic Gundotra and Bradley Horowitz and it launched in 2011. People expected it to be the next big thing in social media.

It wasn’t.

The history of social media has also witnessed failures and this was one of them.

Maybe the problem was it was too similar to Facebook. On Google+, you had the so-called circles and you could choose which circle to share particular information with. Pretty much the same as Facebook’s friend lists.

Maybe it was the lack of a mobile app. Both Facebook and Twitter have apps that allow a smooth mobile experience. Google did, in fact, launch an app for Google+ at some point, but it just couldn’t compete with Facebook.

Or maybe it was the fact that no one actually used it. People already had Facebook and they had it for free, why would they go for a rip-off?

The platform has now shut down due to a ‘security breach’. It also failed to accomplish the goals the company had set for it.

Well then.

That was quite the journey, wasn’t it? From BBS to Facebook, quite a lot has changed.

This timeline shows that, undeniably, social media has slowly become a fundamental part of our lives.

Nowadays, a world without social media is unimaginable.

They are like diaries anyone can access. People share their dilemmas, take photos of their lunches and post videos of their cats almost every day. They constantly chat with their friends and families. It’s a brilliant way to both keep in touch and update others about your life.

Social networks have also turned into news channels. The younger generation especially gets most of their information from social media.

Social media has even become the heart of marketing strategies for many marketers.

It’s the age of influencers. Influencers are the people with large social media following, that everyone else likes and trusts. Their recommendation provides brands with a lot of exposure and more sales.

Apparently, people also tend to research products and services on social media, before investing in them. People like following brands on social media and a pleasant social media experience can convince them to become clients. That’s why a lot of big and small businesses have a profile on at least one social media platform.

Social networks have become a gold mine for gaining exposure and reach — as well as raising awareness. Modern-day marketers are aware of that and are perfectly willing to exploit the opportunity and there’s a ton of tools that can help them.

Key Takeouts

Social media has evolved a lot for the relatively short time that it has existed.

Most of us are first-hand witnesses of social networks history being written.

It’s been a wild journey ever since 1978 and BBS. In this time, social networks have gone through some huge transformations. It all started from online bulletin boards information and now we’re witnessing the world domination of the Big Three.

From emailing to real-time chats. From anonymity to tweeting every single step of your day. From pure entertainment to marketing strategies.

We’ve sure come a long way.

And with that, this chapter of our story ends. We’re saying “this chapter” because social media is evolving daily and social networks history is still being written.

Hope you found this information as fascinating as we did. Till next time!

Источник

History Of Social Networking: Early Beginnings

The First Social Networking Site

New Millenium: New Era in Social Networking

The Future of Social Networking

Wayback Machine – History of Internet

How To Grow as a Designer by Building Your Own Network

Main asset

Types of networks

What more is in it for you?

Examples of networks

Bottom line

3 Reasons Why Web Designers And Developers Must Learn Online Marketing

1. Get more clients

2. Build your brand

3. Earn extra income

Don’t make these mistakes

1. They underestimate the time and effort required to achieve desired results

2. They think that it’s enough to be good at their craft

Where to start?

Your turn!

The Rise Of Facebook: Path to World Domination

Investments

Zuckerberg and his history

Financial growth and power

User behavior

But why?

A bit more for you

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Facebook Enters the Game

It’s an Instagrammable World

Google+ and Why It Failed

Key Takeouts

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