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Ecology

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Recycling is a technology that helps protect the environment and cut down on usage of raw materials. The steel, paper and glass industries recycle a lot. The largest recycler is the steel industry. It recovers more than 70 per cent of its original materials. For example, since 1988 they have produced the majority of new metal cans from old ones. Metal parts for cars and planes are other examples of recycling steel. Fragments of waste glass are widely used in construction. For producing writing paper and pens, used packing boxes are an ideal material. They are cheap and easy to recycle. Nowadays more and more recycling centres are appearing in our towns and cities.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Nowadays solar energy is widely used as an alternative form of power. Solar panels transform the energy from the sun into electricity. The first plane that does not need fuel was constructed in France in 2015. It uses only the sun's energy. The panels are placed on the huge wings of the plane. It doesn’t fly very fast. Solar energy can make the plane move at only 140 miles an hour. However, the plane is able to travel round the world. It is safe and can successfully cross areas of bad weather. In the future, engineers hope to construct a model that people can fly in. Our dream of environmentally friendly transport may come true very soon. Would you like to take a flight on the solar plane?

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Global warming is a result of human activity. In 1985 there was a big conference in Austria where 89 climate researchers from different countries took part. After long discussions the scientists declared that the climate of the planet had changed. Indeed, it is warmer now than it was years ago. It can be clearly seen in the north. In the Arctic some places are ice-free now and polar bears have lost the place where they lived. The sea level has risen as well. The situation is getting more and more serious. Global warming is a great problem which needs to be solved in the near future.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

We don’t realize how lucky we are to have clean water whenever we want. A lot of people around the world do not have such an opportunity. Did you know that more than 750 million people on the Earth do not have clean water to drink? Meanwhile, a lot of water is wasted and polluted. In 1993 the United Nations decided to celebrate the World Day for Water. Nowadays a lot of special events are organized in different countries. Their aim is to make people understand how important clean water is for their health, environment and agriculture. Water is essential for our life. We should think about saving it, as the fresh water supplies are limited. We need to keep it clean for ourselves and for future generations.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Earth Hour is an event that encourages people around the world to switch off electricity at the same time for one hour. Of course, switching off the lights for an hour makes a small difference to the amount of energy we use. But the aim of the event is not to save energy but to get people to think about the planet they live on. Earth Hour started in Australia in 2007. More and more countries join the ecological movement every year. Now, millions of people from 178 countries switch off their lights for 60 minutes at the end of March. People in Russia participate in this event too –– large office buildings and small private houses go dark for Earth Hour.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Human activity creates waste. The problem isn’t new and space is no exception to the rule. Dead satellites, rocket stages and other things are littering our planet’s orbit. They are getting dangerously close to space stations and there is a great possibility of an accident. Space stations could be completely destroyed by the rubbish. In 1983, a tiny piece of paint from a satellite made a big hole in the side window of a spaceship. There is a great need to “clean up” space and to take away 3,000 tons of space rubbish. To solve the problem, scientists and engineers are designing special spaceships that will collect and recycle space rubbish.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The rainforest can be described as a thick and very tall jungle. The term rain comes from the great quantity of water that these forests get throughout the year. The rainforests are the world's greatest natural resources. They are called the lungs of our planet. Half of all the kinds of plants and animals that exist on the planet live in the rainforests. Unfortunately, the area with rainforests is being reduced due to global warming. 100 years ago, the rainforests covered 14 per cent of the earth’s surface. Now, it is only 6 per cent. Scientists say that if the process continues at this rate, the rainforests will have disappeared in 40 years.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read  the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 A zoo, also known as a zoological park or a zoological garden, gives people the opportunity to watch animals from different continents. There are hundreds of zoos all over the world. However, most of them are located in major cities. The first zoo in Russia was opened in 1864, in Moscow. It was a small zoological garden. On the opening day, only 287 animals were on display. Nowadays, the Moscow Zoo is one of the largest in Europe. The unique collection of the Zoo includes over 8000 kinds of animals and birds. Scientists study the animals’ behavior and reproduction. They also breed rare animals there to stop them dying out.

Space

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Do you know why it is hot in the summer and cold in the winter? Most people believe that it is because the Earth is closer to the Sun in the summer and farther from it in the winter. But it is not like this at all! In fact, the distance between the Earth and the Sun is largest in July and smallest in January! Scientists suggest that the reason for different summer and winter temperatures is the angle of the Sun’s rays. In the summer, the rays reach the Earth almost at a right angle. Due to this, the rays are not spread out and a smaller area of the planet's surface gets the energy. In the winter, the angle changes and the Sun’s rays are spread out over a larger area. Besides this, the long nights and short days do not give enough time for the land to warm up.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Without the energy from the Sun, the Earth would have no life at all. Nowadays everyone knows that the Sun is a star. Like all stars, the Sun is a great burning ball of gases. To us, it seems large and red. The other stars look white or light blue because they are much farther from us than the Sun. In the past, many people believed that the Earth was the centre of the universe. They thought that the Sun and the stars went round it. Only in 1543, a great Polish scientist published a book in which he tried to prove a different point of view. According to him, the Earth and the other planets moved round the Sun. Those people who supported the scientist were often imprisoned and even killed.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Venus is one of the hottest planets in the Solar system. The temperature on its surface is 482 degrees. This unfriendly place looks much the same as the Earth 4 billion years ago. Both planets were formed from the same gas cloud, but Venus lost most of its water and atmosphere. This happened because the planet turns very slowly. As a result, now it has no magnetic field to protect it from the Sun's winds. The planet has turned into a lifeless desert. Most space modules that were sent to Venus, could not work on the planet more than two hours. The acidic clouds and high pressure quickly made them absolutely useless.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Most people enjoy watching the night sky. And the brightest object in the sky is the Moon. Every night the Moon rises in the East and sets in the West. It takes about 27 days to go around the Earth, and it’s an interesting fact that we always see the same side of the Moon. The Moon is the closest object to the Earth. It would take us only 13 hours to get to the Moon by rocket. If we were able to travel at the speed of light, it would take a bit less than two seconds.

There is a very thin atmosphere on the Moon. Life is not possible there. In spite of this, the Moon can be used as a base for space exploration and even for space tourism. Some space companies say that they will be able to take tourists to the Moon as soon as in 2020.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 The ninth planet of the solar system was discovered not long ago. It happened in 1930. Scientists had been hunting for the planet for a long time. They had calculated its probable position, but there was no proof that the planet really existed. It was too far away for the telescopes of that time to find it. It’s worth mentioning that the first photos of the planet were taken by a very young researcher. He was only twenty-four and had no formal education in astronomy. However he was deeply involved in the search for the ninth planet. The planet at the edge of the solar system was called Pluto, after the Roman god. The name for the planet was suggested by an 11-year-old British girl.

Technological progress

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 A robot is a machine that does work for people. The word ‘robot’ appeared in the 1920s and it was first used in a science fiction story. In real life, the robot was invented later, in 1954. There are different kinds of robots which are used in different industries. Most of them are operated with the help of a computer program. Instead of humans, robots do hard and boring work in unpleasant or dangerous environments. They usually work faster and more accurately than people. They never get tired and do not make mistakes. Nowadays robots are often used for domestic needs –– to clean houses or to look after sick and elderly people. Scientists say that soon robots will become a normal part of our life, like mobiles and computers today.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Nowadays people can’t imagine their kitchen without a refrigerator. The first refrigerators appeared at the end of the 18th century. They looked different: they were just iceboxes. The refrigerators of the past were just wooden boxes, sometimes lined inside with metal. People put ice into the box and then placed the food inside to keep it cool. The refrigerator, similar to the one that we have now, was produced by General Electric in 1911, in France. It was very expensive. In those days, with the same money you could buy two cars. Today, in developed countries almost every family has enough money to buy a refrigerator for their kitchen. It’s hard to imagine how difficult and uncomfortable our lives would be without a refrigerator.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Since 2007 high-speed trains have become a common type of transport in Europe. They make it possible to cut travel times by hours. The trains travel at 350 kilometres an hour, and this is not the limit! The only problem for the engineers is the loud noise the trains produce. People living in the areas the trains travel through suffer from the noise greatly. For the passengers, the situation is different. For their comfort, all the carriages are made sound-proof from the inside. Travelling on high-speed trains is comfortable and pleasant. In the future, a high-speed railroad network could cover most of Europe. For example, a trip from Paris to Rome could take only 3 hours!

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 In 1642 a French student invented the first mechanical calculator. He was only 18 and the counting machine was a present for his father. The father worked as a tax collector and the young man wanted to make his job easier.

The talented inventor made several machines, but nobody was interested. The young man was ahead of his time. Many years passed before people realized how useful these machines could be and started mass producing them.

Today most mechanical calculators have been replaced with electronic models. These small devices can perform a lot of mathematical operations. You just need to enter the numbers by pressing the keys and you’ll see the final result on the screen in no time.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The first vacuum cleaner was designed in 1869. Since then, vacuum cleaners have changed a lot. Nowadays the robot vacuum cleaner is getting more and more popular. This device cleans a house automatically. Following a programme, the robot drives slowly around the house and makes it cleaner. It operates with brushes and a tube. The robot is so flexible that it can get under a table or sofa or reach dust in corners. Some advanced models can also wash floors of all kinds. These functions are provided by a complicated electronic system and sensors inside. The vacuum cleaner looks like a plate and can be kept in the corner. It is friendly to children and animals and works on electricity.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 The mobile phone has become an important part of our everyday life. We can’t imagine our lives without it now. Thanks to the mobile phone we can keep in contact with our relatives and friends at any time. We use them to text and to send emails, to share photos and videos. We can use the Internet and listen to music and do lots of other things. However, according to surveys, mobile phone users mostly spend their time on games and social networking. Around 80 percent of the world’s population has a mobile phone. The mobile phone industry is the fastest growing industry in the world. From 1983 to 2016, worldwide mobile phone subscriptions grew to over 7 billion.

Our Planet

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales. It is located in a national park. It stands at 1085 metres above sea level, and it is often described as the busiest mountain in Great Britain. Snowdon is very popular with tourists. If you are strong and brave enough to get to the top, you can enjoy wonderful views from there. On a clear day, you can see as far as Ireland! During the summer months there is a café at the top. There, tourists can get a welcome cup of tea, or soup if the weather is cold. If you feel too tired to walk back, you can always take the train down the mountain. The mountain railway was built in 1896. It is safe, and there have never been any accidents on this route.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Studies of the atmosphere first received technical support in 1912. Equipment to measure temperature and pressure was invented in Germany. But the question was how to raise it high into the air. In 1921, Russian engineers suggested using planes. The special equipment was put on planes that made regular flights. Thanks to this, scientists got a lot of new information about the structure of the atmosphere. Nowadays scientists use modern flying laboratories to study the structure of clouds at different levels. Unlike the first planes, these laboratories can work in any weather and are able to predict climate changes.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 The word ‘tsunami’ can be translated from Japanese as ‘big wave’. It describes a natural process that can be dangerous for people and their homes. Most of the huge waves appear after earthquakes. Most waves are born in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans where volcanoes are active. The mass of water rises from the bottom of the ocean and moves to the shore. It moves at a speed of a plane and can be up to 40 meters high. The wave is very powerful and dangerous. In 2004, a tsunami happened in the Indian Ocean. It was one of most terrible natural disasters in history. It hit 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Thousands of people were killed or went missing.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 People have always wanted to discover new things and new worlds. We have built spaceships to go to other planets and are planning to visit other galaxies one day. Meanwhile, we know very little about our own planet. The oceans, which cover 70 percent of the planet, are an unknown world to us. The Pacific Ocean is the largest one. The lowest point on the Earth is also there. It is called Challenger Deep and it was discovered in 1875. The Pacific Ocean stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the coast of Antarctica, but most of its water is in the warm tropics, which makes it warm. A lot of fish and animals live in the Pacific Ocean. The place is still waiting for researchers to discover its secrets for us.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean of the world. It covers the northern polar region of the Earth. The Arctic region is a very cold place. The lowest recorded temperature there is minus 68 degrees. In spite of the cold, a lot of animals live on the Arctic ice. The polar bear is one of them. Now, due to global warming, the polar bear is in a serious trouble. The thing is that polar bears hunt seals and they need ice to do this. The bears wait for seals on the ice, hunt them in the water and go back to the shore. If the ice is too thin, it breaks under the bears’ heavy bodies and they may drown. The situation is getting worse and some researchers say the ocean may become ice-free as soon as 2050.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Our planet is the only planet in the Solar System where rainbows are possible. They are not visible in big cities, due to pollution and smog. But if you are travelling after rain has fallen in the countryside or walking on the beach, you have a good chance to see a rainbow. The rainbow is a multi-coloured arc which appears in the sky. When you see a rainbow, the sun is always behind you and it is raining in front of you. It is impossible to get to the end of the rainbow and to touch it. When you move, the rainbow moves too. We have always learned that rainbows have 7 colours. However, until the 17th century, people used to think there were only 5 colours in the rainbow.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The Caspian Sea is one of the world’s natural wonders. It shares the characteristics of both a sea and a lake. In the past it was called a sea because of its great size and salty water. However, the Caspian Sea is listed as the largest lake in the world. There are about 130 rivers which bring their water to the Caspian Sea. But it is not a freshwater lake –– its water is very salty. The Caspian Sea is famous for its wildlife. More than 850 kinds of animals and 500 different plants can be found in this unique sea. The Caspian Sea region is also one of the oldest oil-producing areas in the world. It is also rich in other natural resources.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Wombats are exotic animals that only live in Australia. They have become an unofficial symbol of the country. In 1974 a wombat appeared on an Australian stamp for the first time. Since then it has been regularly used on different Australian stamps and coins. Wombats look like little bears and prefer grass to meat. They also love eating berries, plant roots and mushrooms. Like camels, wombats drink little water because there is enough water in fresh grass. Wombats spend most of their life in holes under the ground. With their strong arms and long nails they are able to dig very long and complex tunnels. Fortunately, wombats have few enemies in the animal world. Most wombats live around 15 years.

Sport

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

One day a young man who lived near the lake in a small American town asked himself, “Why can’t people ski on water if they can ski on snow?” With his brother’s help he constructed several models of skis to test his ideas. He experimented on the local lake for a few days and created skis suitable for the water. This happened in 1922. The young man, who was only 18 at that time, didn’t patent his invention. However, he performed a lot of shows across the country that made him and the sport of water skiing popular. Later, he was recognized as the creator of a new sport –– water skiing.

Water skiing equipment has been greatly improved since that time, and the number of people who enjoy this sport is growing in many countries.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Netball is played by over 20 million people in more than 70 countries of the world. It was invented in 1892 as women’s basketball. However, netball is different from basketball in many ways. For example, the ball and the basket are smaller and the court is bigger. The players cannot run with the ball. They are not allowed to touch the players who they are playing with. Netball has seven players in each team (not five as in basketball). During the 20th century, the game became very popular in English-speaking countries. Traditionally, only girls and women have played netball. Nowadays, netball is the number one women’s sport in the world but boys and men are starting to play it too.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Table tennis is the third most played sport in the world after football and cricket. It is considered to be an indoor version of Lawn Tennis. However, they have a lot of differences. Table tennis has a different scoring system, a smaller ball, smaller rackets, and a smaller playing area. Modern table tennis was invented at the end of the 19th century in England. Very soon the new sport became popular all over the world. In 1901, competitions with over 300 participants were already being held. According to numerous studies, table tennis has great effects on human health. It keeps the brain sharp and improves the player’s coordination. Since 1988, table tennis has been an Olympic sport.

Studying

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 English is the third most-spoken language in the world after Chinese and Spanish. Over 840 million people speak English as a first or second language. It is an official language of 67 countries. 80 percent of information stored on all computers in the world is in English. The vocabulary of the English language is the biggest in the world. A new word is added into English almost every two hours. The English language is said to be one of the happiest languages in the world. The word happy is used more often than the word sad! That's a good reason to learn this language, isn’t it?

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 The human brain is the most complex and remarkable organ of the body. It controls everything we do –– thinking, learning, and even heart rate. Though the brain makes up only 2 percent of the body's weight, it uses around 20 percent of its energy. It works 24 hours a day. Even when a person is sleeping, the brain is working hard to keep other organs functioning. Most people think that our brain is more active during the daytime because it needs to deal with a great amount of information. In fact, that’s not true. The brain is far more active when a person is sleeping! However, scientists don’t yet have any explanation for this fact.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Great Britain is home to the world’s oldest school. The King’s School was established in 1567 and it is still open. It has a long history. Many famous people have been educated at this old school. Nowadays The King’s School is an independent secondary school for boys and girls from 13 to 18. More than 800 pupils study at the school. Though The King’s School is located in old buildings, it has up-to-date technical equipment and provides a full modern education. The King’s School is also famous for its festival of music, drama and arts. It is held during the last week of the summer term and attracts a lot of people from different parts of the country.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

 Oxford University is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is also the second oldest university in the world. The University of Oxford is believed to have started in 1133. It is located in Oxford City on the Thames River, not far from London. Oxford University is one of the world’s most impressive centres of education. There are students from different countries there. In fact, there is no building in Oxford called Oxford University. The University includes 38 colleges and related buildings. Over 22,000 students study English language and literature, geography, history, law, modern languages and other subjects there.

Health

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

We are always told that we should clean our teeth regularly to keep them healthy and to have fresh breath. It is believed that people started using a kind of paste to clean their teeth around 5000 years ago. However, the ingredients of these tooth powders were very different from ours. For example, the people of ancient Egypt used salt, mint, dried flowers and pepper to create tooth powder. Later, in the 18th century, in some countries in Europe, people brushed their teeth with burnt bread. The first toothpaste appeared in 1890, in Great Britain. At first it was sold in jars. Then special tubes were designed to make the toothpaste more comfortable to use.

Food

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The carrot is a root vegetable which consists mostly of water and sugar. The carrots that we eat today originated from the wild ones which grew in Europe and Asia. The vegetable tasted sweet and the people began to use it as food.

There are two main types of carrots. There are eastern carrots that have dark purple roots and western carrots with orange roots. In fact, orange carrots first appeared in Europe in 1721. Dutch farmers selected orange carrots because orange is the colour of the Dutch Royal Family. Now orange carrots are widely grown all over the world. In modern households carrots are cooked and eaten in different ways. The vegetable is boiled, fried, baked and eaten raw. People also make juice from it.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Though most people believe that the tomato is a vegetable, this plant is actually a fruit. Tomato is a fruit because it has seeds inside like apples, oranges, lemons, and all other types of fruit. The tomato comes from Central and South America. When tomatoes were brought to England in the 17th century, people thought that they were poisonous and refused to eat them. Only in 1820, Robert Johnson proved that tomatoes were absolutely safe and would not affect people’s health. He ate a basket of tomatoes in public. Nowadays, the tomato is widely used in all types of food. There are many different kinds of tomatoes –– over 7,500! They differ in size, shape, colour and taste.

Culture

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

It's hard to find a more popular Russian symbol than the traditional Russian doll, or Matryoshka. It is well-known all over the world. The first set of dolls appeared in Moscow in 1890. It consisted of eight dolls. All of them were children: seven girls, one boy, and a baby. In those times, Matryoshkas were not meant as toys for children as their price was very high. Mostly, adults bought them as presents or home decorations. There was a belief that if you put a note with a wish into Matryoshka, it would come true. At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia started to export their national dolls abroad.

Transport

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The construction of the longest and the deepest railroad tunnel was finished in Europe. The tunnel runs through the Alps and links the north and south of Europe. The length of the tunnel is 57 kilometres. It runs straight from beginning to end. It will allow passenger trains to travel more quickly through the mountains. Modern technologies ensure safety and security when the trains go through the tunnel. The great project started in 2009 and it took 17 years to complete. It is considered to be one of the most amazing engineering constructions in Europe.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Bicycles or bikes are an important means of transportation in many parts of the world. The first bicycles turned up in Europe in the first half of the19th century but the word ‘bicycle’ only appeared later, in 1868. There are more bicycles in the world than cars. About 100 million bicycles are produced worldwide each year. A lot of people have realized that cycling is an easy way to get around and a great way to cut down on pollution. More and more cities have special places where people can borrow a bike and ride around the city. Over the past few years, a bicycle infrastructure has been created in Moscow. Cycling in the centre of Moscow in summer is one of the most pleasant and quickest ways of seeing the city.

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 01.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The Channel Tunnel is a rail tunnel beneath the English Channel which links Great Britain and France. It is considered to be one of the most amazing engineering constructions in Europe. The second longest undersea tunnel in the world was opened in 1994. It is said that 13,000 workers and engineers participated in the construction project. The Channel Tunnel contains three tunnels. The south tunnel is for people who are travelling from France to the UK, the north tunnel takes passengers from the UK to France. Nowadays it takes 35 minutes to go from Paris to London in the Channel Tunnel. The third tunnel is a service tunnel. It is not used by passengers.

ОГЭ: ВСЕ СЛОВООБРАЗОВАНИЕ

ИЗ ОТКРЫТОГО БАНКА

Past Simple (простое прошедшее) — описывает действие, которое закончилось в прошлом. Обычно в предложениях есть слова-помощники: yesterday (вчера), last month (в прошлом месяце), two years ago (два года назад). 

Past Continuous (прошедшее длительное) — описывает действие, которые длились определённое время в прошлом.

Past Perfect (прошедшее совершённое) — используется, чтобы рассказать о действии, которое уже закончилось к определённому моменту в прошлом или перед началом другого действия в прошлом. 

Past Perfect Continuous (прошедшее совершённое длительное) — обозначает действие, которое началось в прошлом, продолжалось какое-то время и закончилось непосредственно перед неким моментом в прошлом.

Present Simple (настоящее простое) — обозначает регулярно повторяющиеся или постоянные действия вроде предпочтений или фактов. Часто используются слова-помощники usually (обычно), always (всегда), often (часто), sometimes (иногда), every day (каждый день). 

Present Continuous (настоящее длительное) — обозначает действия, которые происходят в момент речи или же в определённый длительный период времени около сейчас. Слова-помощники: now (сейчас), at this moment (в этот момент), today (сегодня).

Present Perfect (настоящее совершённое) — используется для обозначения действия, которое произошло в прошлом (неважно когда именно) и имеет результат в настоящем. Слова-помощники: already (уже), just (только что), yet (уже, ещё), recently (недавно). 

Present Perfect Continuous (настоящее совершённое длительное) — описывает действие, которое началось в прошлом, длилось какое-то время и всё ещё продолжается в настоящем или же совсем недавно закончилось и виден результат.

Future Simple (будущее простое) — описывает единичные или повторяющиеся действия в будущем. Слова-помощники: tomorrow (завтра), next week (на следующей неделе), in an hour (через час).

Future Continuous (будущее длительное) — описывает действие, которое будет длиться в определённый момент в будущем. 

Future Perfect (будущее совершённое) — обозначает действие, которое уже завершится к определённому моменту в будущем.

Future Perfect Continuous (будущее совершённое длительное) —  используется для действия, которое началось и продолжалось в течение какого-то времени до определённого момента в будущем.

УСТНАЯ ЧАСТЬ (ОГЭ-2024)

ВАРИАНТ 1

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Throughout centuries man and dog lived side by side. Dogs were popular in Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Some scientists say that domestic dogs appeared abot 12,000 years ago and that they were derived directly from wolves. And for all these 12,000 years people have experimented with dogs, trying to develop the characteristics they wanted, and that resulted in the huge variety of breeds we have today. People quickly understood that dogs could be used to work in many fields. They can guard, herd and hunt, find people lost in the mountains under the snow. But probably the best thing about them is their loyalty. Yes, that’s why we love dogs. they are always happy to see us, they never criticise us, forgive our shortcomings and understand us without words.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Club “TV World”. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about TV. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: How often do you watch TV?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: How can TV be harmful to your health?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What are your favourite TV programmes?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Why do you think many people prefer watching TV at home to going to the cinema?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: In what way can programmes in English improve students’ knowledge of English?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What programmes would you recommend your friend to watch and why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about travelling. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• how often you and your family travel;

• what you like/dislike while travelling;

• what was your most exciting trip;

• what your attitude to travelling abroad is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 2

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The mass media play an important role in our lives. Nowadays, radio and especially TV inform us of what is going on in the world. It is true that the world today is full of dramatic events and most news seems to be bad news. But people aren’t interested just in ordinary events. That is why there are so many programmes and articles about natural disasters, plane crashes, wars, murders and robberies. The main source of news for millions of people is television. Still, many people prefer the radio. It’s good to listen to in a car or when you do something about the house. Newspapers don’t react to events as quickly as TV, but they usually provide us with extra detail. The Internet has recently become another important source of information. Its main advantage is that news appears on the screen as soon as things happen in real life and you don’t have to wait for news time on TV.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Cinema Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about cinema and films. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What would you rather do: watch a film or read a book? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What kinds of films do you like?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What’s your favourite film? Why do you like it?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Why characteristics should a person have to become an actor or an actress?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Is it always good to be famous? Explain why.

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: How can English help a person in the career of an actor in the future?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about your daily life. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• how busy your school timetable is;
• what household chores you have;
• what interesting/useful things you do in your free time;
• what your attitude to helping your parents is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 3

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The language of gestures is widely used in communication. Sometimes a gesture can even replace a word like in sport, aviation, in “the talk” of deaf people, etc. The Japanese will applaud stretching their arms while in Great Britain slow and rhythmical applause at a concert or at the theatre means great disapproval. Travelling around the world you may come across some very funny gestures. For example, in Tibet passers-by can show their tongue to “say” that they’re feeling fine and that they don’t mean anything bad. It is interesting that a Finn uses only one gesture per hour, an Italian – 80 gestures, a Frenchman – 120 gestures. Isn’t it wonderful how people differ? People can also “talk” while dancing. Graceful gestures of Indian and Japanese dancers are as expressive as stories. Aren’t they a language? So it’s very important for a person learning foreign languages to know the language of gestures. It helps to understand foreigners better.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Drama Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about music and theatre. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What kind of music do you prefer listening to?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Are music classes necessary at school? What’s your opinion?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Have you ever taken part in school performances? On what occasions?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: How often do you go to the theatre?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Why do teens nowadays go to the theatre not as often as they used to?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What music performance would you recommend your friend to visit?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about the problem of keeping a pet. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• what are the most popular pets;
• why people keep pets;
• if it’s difficult to keep a pet and why;
• what your attitude to keeping a pet is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 4

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

You know, of course, that smoking is dangerous. Yet statistics show that young people today smoke more, not less. Why? One answer is that many teens think it’s cool. Another is the enormous sums of money invested in advertising cigarettes. Tobacco companies spend millions to encouraged the young to start, or to continue, smoking. For tobacco companies cigarettes mean money. For us they mean disease and even death. Smoking kills about 3 million people every year. Some aren’t even smokers. They are people who live or work with heavy smokers. Smoking causes heart attacks. By the way, heart disease is now the number-one killer in Russia. Smoking causes a lot of lung diseases. Babies of women smokers are more likely to have mental disorders than babies of women non-smokers. Babies with mothers who smoke develop more slowly during childhood.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Club “Food for Life”. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about healthy eating habits. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: How many meals a day do you usually have?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What do you prefer buying in your school canteen of buffet?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Where is it better for you to have meals: at school or at home? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What’s your opinion about fast food?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What’s your favourite dish? Can you cook it yourself?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Would you recommend your friend to attend cooking courses? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about reading habits. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• if you like reading books;
• if you read books for pleasure or for your studies;
• what book has impressed you most of all;
• what your atttitude to literature lessons is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 5

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The school system in the UK may seem rather confusing for people from other countries. There are two types of schools in the UK. Most of schools are state schools where education is free. But there are also private schools where you have to pay. Such schools are often very expensive. It may seem strange, but private schools in Britain are called public. A long time ago when education was a privilege of the rich, the only schools where poor people could go got the money from charity organizations. As it was public money, the schools for the poor were called public schools. Some of these public schools were very successful and later they became expensive private schools for rich people. But the conservative British continued to call them public schools. The first thing you need to have is money as studying at some public schools costs up to 20 000 pounds a year. There are some grants for bright pupils from poor families but the places are few and the competition is very strong. It’s not surprising that only six percent of the pupils in the UK can study at public schools.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Leisure Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about spending their free time. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What are your favourite weekdays? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Do you plan spending your free time or just waste it?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: How do your free time activities depend on the weather?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Have you got any special hobbies which take up your free time? What are they if any?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Why do you think it’s necessary to help your parents about the house?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What would you recommend your friends to do in their free time?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about your best friend. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• what qualities you are attracted to him/her;
• if there is anything you’d like to change in him/her;
• what do you do together;
• what your attitude to school friendship is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 6

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Money has played an important role in every civilization. It has taken various forms and has changed many times over the centuries. The first form of payment was the exchange of goods. People usually exchanged animal skins and meat, fruit and vegetables, clothes and precious stones. In the 7th century BC the first coins appeared. They were usually made of silver or gold and their value depended on the amount of metal in each coin. With time, coins became very popular and many countries produced their own currency. The introduction of paper money – banknotes – in the 17th century was the beginning of banking systems in many European countries. Since then, banks have offered a wide range of services like loans, bank accounts and many others. Today, people pay for things in different ways: they pay in cash, by cheque or by credit card. The last one, it seems, is the most convenient form of payment. Many people believe that one day money in the form of coins, banknotes, cheques and magnetic cards will totally disappear and that all buying and selling will be done via the Internet.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Animal Lovers’ Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about having a pet. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What pets are popular among your friends?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What pet have you dreamt of?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Has your dream come true? Have you got a pet?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Why do you think some parents are against any pets?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Why can’t many people live without pets?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Would you recommend your friend to adopt a stray dog or a cat? Explain why.

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about relations in your family. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• if your family is big or not;
• how you get along with your parents, brothers or sisters;
• if you like spending your free time with your family;
• what your attitude to being an only child is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 7

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Scientists have noticed that the weather is getting worse and worse and the so-called extreme weather events are becoming more and more frequent. The explanation is short: the reason is global warming. What is global warming? The greenhouse effect is a natural feature of our atmosphere without which life on our planet would be impossible. Certain atmospheric gases work as a kind of blanket, keeping the Earth warm. The amount of these ‘greenhouse’ gases used to be more or less the same for centuries. But the industrial revolution broke this balance. Climate experts predict that in 30 years the global average temperature will raise by 2-3 degrees. Northern regions will be wetter an warmer, southern regions will be drier and hotter. Snow will melt in the Alps and other mountains and the water will cause floods. Sea levels will rise and lots of areas will disappear under water. So will some species of animals and plants.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Youth Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about their school life. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What do you think about your school timetable?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Do you often borrow books from your school library? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What sports facilities are there in your school?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Where do you have meals?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What school events do you remember most of all? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What would you like to improve in your school life? Explain why.

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about your the main cities of your country. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• if you know any historical facts about these cities;
• what famous places of these cities you know;
• which of these places you would recommend to visit, why;
• what your attitude to living in a big city is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 8

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

We all like chocolate. But what exactly is chocolate and where does it come from? And is it good for us or bad for us? Perhaps you know the history of chocolate. Like the potato, it comes from South America. The Spanish people brought it to Europe as a drink. It was so expensive that only rich people could buy it. The idea of making it into bars came later so it became popular as a sweet only in the middle of the 19th century. Why do we like chocolate so much? Of course, it tastes good, but there are other reasons. There is something in chocolate which makes us happy. And it gives us a lot of energy. But it’s also so rich in calories that you can put on weight if you eat it all the time. Is it good or bad for us? Well, some scientists say that chocolate is very healthy, that it isn’t bad for your heart or your skin and that it’s even good for your teeth. Other people think that you shouldn’t eat it at all. The truth is somewhere in the middle. You shouldn’t eat chocolate all the time but it’s too tasty to say no!

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the School Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about exams. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: How many exams are you going to take at the end of the ninth grade?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: In which way can the chosen exams be useful to you?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What or who has influenced your choice?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Is it easier for you to take oral or written exams? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What is in your opinion the most difficult aspect of the English exam?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What would you advise your classmates to do to pass their exams successfully?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about your attitude to healthy style of living. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• if you follow the rules of healthy style;
• what diet you keep to;
• what activities you do to keep fit;
• what your attitude to people who try to keep fit is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 9

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Long time ago fashion was only for the rich. Paris was the centre of the fashion world, and everyone tried to copy the top French designers. But now fashion is a much more international matter. London, like other European cities, has a large number of its own talented designers. Street styles are not created by the big fashion designers. British don’t think about fashion very much. Most people go down to their nearest shopping street and buy something from a chain store. The most popular of these stores is “Marks & Spencer”. It has a shop in every town. It is one of Britain’s favourite stores. It started more than a hundred years ago when a young Polish immigrant, Michael Marks, had a stall in Leeds Market. He didn’t have many things to sell: some cotton, lots of buttons and a few shoe-laces. Ten years later he met Tom Spencer and together they started Penny Stalls in many towns in the north of England. Today there are more than 500 branches of “Marks & Spencer” all over the world.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the International Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about holidays. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What are the most popular public holidays in your country?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What is your favourite holiday? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: How do you usually celebrate your favourite holiday?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Do you prefer giving or getting presents? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What family traditions would you like to keep?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What would you like to change in celebrating your favourite holiday? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about the place you live in. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• if you live in a big city or in the countryside;
• what the advantages of the place where you live are ;
• what you don’t like about the place where you live;
• what your attitude to moving to another place is.

You have to talk continuously.

ВАРИАНТ 10

Task 1. You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

Clouds play an important role in the Earth’s weather. They bring the earth water in the form of rain and snow. The fluffy white clouds we see across the blue sky and the colourful clouds we see at the sunset are also part of the beauty of nature. Not all clouds, however, are beautiful. Some clouds bring destruction and even death. There are three groups of clouds: low, middle and high. The low clouds float less than 1,800 metres above the sea level. They bring rain or snow. The middle clouds lie about 1,800 metres to 6,100 metres above the sea level and form smooth white sheet and grey layer across the sky. High clouds are found 20,000 feet above the Earth or higher. All high clouds are formed of ice crystals. No two clouds are exactly the same. They are always changing their shape or form. Clouds are interesting to scientists, artists and picnickers.

Task 2. You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 2

Electronic assistant: Hello! This is the electronic assistant of the Fun Club. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what teenagers think about the ways of spending holidays. Please answer our six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What is your favourite season?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Where do you usually spend your summer holidays? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: How often do you and your family travel?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: Do you like or dislike travelling? Wjy?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: How do you think travelling can influence your life and studies?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: What place in your country would you like to visit again and again? Why?

Student: _____________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your time.

Task 3. You are going to give a talk about your relations with classmates. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes.

Remember to say:

• if you get on well with all your classmates;
• what common interests you share;
• what problems you can discuss with them;
• what your attitude to bullying at school is.

 Eating Habits

1. How many meals a day do you usually have?
2. What is your favourite food?
3. What do you usually have for lunch at school?
4. Do you prefer fast food or home-made food? Why?
5. Would you like to take part in a TV cookery show, for example cooking your favourite dish in a TV studio? Why?
6. What would you recommend to a teenager who wants to keep fit?

Music and the other arts

1. What kind of music do you usually listen to?
2. What musical instrument would you like to learn to play?
3. What clubs or societies can you attend in your school?
4. How often do you have school concerts and performances?
5. What do you prefer: going to the cinema or watching TV at home? Why?
6. What would you recommend to your friends who want to make their free time more interesting?

School

1. How many lessons do you usually have?
2. What subject do you find the most difficult?
3. What is your favourite weekday? Why do you like it?
4. What sports facilities do you have in your school?
5. Do you think school uniform is necessary or not? Why do you think so?
6. What would you recommend your friends do to improve their English?

Modern film industry

1. How often do you go to the cinema?
2. What kinds of films do you like most?
3. Why do you think many people prefer watching films at home?
4. What do you like to do in your free time?
5. How can films in English help students to improve their English?
6. What film would you recommend your friends see? And why?

Teenagers’ reading habits

1. What kinds of books do you like to read?
2. Who is your favourite writer?
3. How often do you borrow books from the library?
4. Why do you think teenagers are reading less and less now?
5. How can reading books in English help students improve their English?
6. What book would you recommend to your friend who wants to read something for pleasure? Why?

Shopping and shopping centers

1. Who usually does the shopping in your family?
2. What can you buy in your nearest shopping centre?
3. How often do you usually go shopping?
4. Why are shopping centers so popular nowadays?
5. Why do some people hate shopping?
6. What time would you recommend that busy people should go shopping?

Free time

1. How much free time do you have on weekdays?
2. How do you and your friends spend your free time?
3. Who do you prefer to spend your free time with?
4. What afterschool activities do you take part in?
5. Do you think everyone should find some time to do sports? Why?
6. What hobby would you do if you had more free time?

Spending holidays

1. What is your favourite season?
2. Where do you usually spend your summer holidays?
3. What do you like to do during your winter holidays?
4. How often do you and your family travel?
5. What type of transport do you find the most convenient? Why?
6. What place in your country would you recommend to a foreign tourist to visit? Why?

Ecological problems

1. Where would you like to live: in a big city or in the country?
2. What are the advantages of living in the country?
3. What is the main ecological problem in the place where you live?
4. Do you and your friends care about the ecological problems? Why?
5. Have you ever taken part in any ecological actions at school?
6. What would you recommend to a person who wants to improve the ecological situation in his or her hometown?

School events

1. How many classes do you usually have a day?
2. What sport facilities do you have in your school?
3. What clubs and societies can you attend in your school?
4. What school events like concerts and performances do you usually have during the school year?
5. Do you enjoy taking part in these school events? Why?
6. What event would you recommend organizing in your school? And why?

Sports

1. How many lessons of PE (Physical Education) do you have a week?
2. What sport facilities do you have in your school?
3. What sport do you do regularly?
4. What winter sports are popular with you and your friends?
5. Would you like to do any extreme sport? Why or why not?
6. What would you recommend to a teenager who wants to be healthy and fit?

Daily routines

1. When do you get up on weekdays?
2. What do you prefer to eat for breakfast in the morning?
3. How long does it take you to get to school?
4. What is your favourite part of the day: morning, afternoon or evening? Why do you like it?
5. What do you do to help your parents about the house?
6. What would you recommend to teenagers who are often late for school?

Mobile phones

1. How old are you?
2. When did you get your first mobile phone?
3. What do you usually use your mobile phone for?
4. How do you feel when you forget your mobile phone at home?
5. Do you think it is right that mobile phones are not allowed at some schools?
6. In what places would you recommend people to switch off or turn down their phones? Why?

Using the Internet and spending time online

1. How old are you?
2. How much time do you spend on the Internet every day?
3. What do you use the Internet for?
4. What do you do in Information Technology or Computer Studies lessons?
5. Why are computer skills useful for everyone?
6. What would you recommend to a person who spends too much time on the Internet?

English language learning

1. What is your favourite school subject?
2. When do you start learning English?
3. What do you do in your English lessons?
4. Do you find learning English easy or difficult? Why?
5. What other foreign language would you like to learn? Why?
6. What would you recommend a person do to improve his or her English?

TV and TV programmes

1. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
2. How often do you go to the cinema or to a theatre?
3. How much time do you usually watch TV every day?
4. What TV programmes are popular in your family?
5. Do you prefer TV or the Internet?
6. What TV program would you recommend your friends watch?

City, town or village

1. How long have you been living in your city, town or village?
2. What is the place where you live famous for?
3. When was your city, town or village founded?
4. What season is the best for visiting your city, town or village? Why?
5. What is your favorite place in your city, town or village? Why do you like it?
6. What place in your hometown would you recommend visiting?

Learning foreign languages

1. What foreign languages can you learn at your school?
2. How many English lessons a week do you have?
3. For what reasons do people learn foreign languages nowadays?
4. What is the most effective way to learn a foreign language in your opinion?
5. Do you think English will be useful for you in the future? In what way?
6. What language would you recommend your English speaking friend learn? Why?

School daily routine

1. What time do you usually go to bed in the evening?
2. How much time do you spend doing your homework?
3. What sports do you do regularly?
4. What do you do to help your parents about the house?
5. How do you spend your weekends?
6. What would you like to change in your daily routine?

School

1. What grade are you in?
2. How many classes a day do you usually have?
3. What sports facilities are there in your school?
4. What is your school uniform like?
5. What school events do you have during the school year?
6. What would you like to improve in your school?

Doing sports

1. How old are you?
2. How many times a week do you do sports?
3. What sport is the most popular with teenagers in your region?
4. What sports facilities are available in the place where you live?
5. Why do you think it is important to keep fit?
6. What would you advise a person who wants to keep fit?

Computers

1. How old were you when you started using the computer?
2. In what lessons at school do you use computers?
3. What do you use your computer for?
4. What do the members of your family use computers for?
5. Which jobs need good computer skills in your view?
6. In what way have computers made people’s life easier?

Reading

1. How old were you when you learned to read?
2. What do you like to read about?
3. Who is your favourite writer?
4. What do you usually do in Literature lessons?
5. What do you like to do in your free time apart from reading?
6. What books do you prefer: printed books or e-books? Why?

Shopping and clothes

1. What colour of clothes do you prefer wearing?
2. What clothes do you usually wear?
3. How often do you go shopping for clothes?
4. Who do you usually go shopping with?
5. Do you have to wear a school uniform? If so, what is it like?
6. Does a career as a fashion designer attract you or not? Why?

Pets and animals

1. What is your favourite animal? Why do you like it?
2. What pets are the most popular in Russia in your view?
3. Is it right for people to keep exotic animals as pets? Why?
4. What can people do to help homeless animals?
5. Why do you think most children like visiting zoos?
6. Does a career as a vet attract you or not? Why?

Sports at school

1. How many Physical Education lessons a week do you have?
2. What sports facilities do you have at school?
3. What do you do in your Physical Education lessons?
4. What sports do you do regularly?
5. Do you think the winter is a good season for doing sports or not? Why?
6. What would you recommend to a teenager who wants to stay fit and healthy?

City, town or village

1. Where is your hometown located?
2. What is your hometown famous for?
3. What is your favourite place in your hometown? Why do you like it?
4. What environmental problems do you have in your hometown, if any?
5. Is it better to live in the country or in a city? Why?
6. What would you like to improve in your hometown to make it a better place to live?

Daily routine

1. How many days a week do you go to school?
2. When do you go to bed in the evening?
3. How do you spend your mornings?
4. What means of transport do you use to get to school?
5. What do you usually have for lunch?
6. What would you recommend to a teenager who wants to stay fit and healthy?

School

1. How many days a week do you go to school?
2. What subjects are you good at?
3. What sports facilities do you have in your school?
4. What afterschool activities does your school offer?
5. What do you like most about your school?
6. What would you recommend to a student who wants to improve his or her school results?

Homework

1. How many lessons do you usually have?
2. What do you usually do after lessons?
3. How much time do you need to do your homework?
4. Who helps you to do your homework?
5. Do you use the Internet when you do your homework? What for?
6. What would you recommend to a student who wants to spend less time on his or her homework?

Eating habits

1. What is your favourite fruit?
2. What do you usually have for breakfast?
3. Where do you usually have lunch on weekdays?
4. Is there any food you do not like?
5. What dishes can you cook?
6. What food would you recommend to a teenager who wants to be healthy?

Mobile phones

1. How old were you when you got your mobile phone?
2. What do you use your mobile phone for apart from talking?
3. Who do you usually send SMSs to?
4. How can you use mobile phones to learn foreign languages?
5. Where do you usually switch off your mobile phone?
6. Why are most teachers against using mobile phones in schools?

Sports

1. What do you do in your Physical Education lessons at school?
2. Do you do your morning exercises or not? Why?
3. What sports do you like playing?
4. What sports competitions do you enjoy watching?
5. Is there any sport you would like to play professionally? Why?
6. What would you recommend to a teenager who wants to stay fit and healthy?

Best friend

1. What is your best friend like?
2. Where did you and your friend meet for the first time?
3. How often do you see each other?
4. What do you like to do together?
5. What career is your best friend going to follow?
6. What would you recommend to a teenager who wants to be a good friend?

TV

1. How many TV sets are there in your house?
2. Who watches TV most in your family?
3. How much time a day do you spend watching TV?
4. What kind of TV programmes do you like?
5. Would you like to take part in a TV show, for example in a quiz show? Why?
6. Does a career on TV attract you or not? Why?

Mass Media

1. Where do you prefer to get news from: radio, newspapers, the Internet or some other source?
2. Who listens to the radio in your family?
3. What kind of TV programmes do you like to watch?
4. How often do you buy a newspaper or a magazine?
5. For what purposes do you use the Internet?
6. Why, in your opinion, do a lot of people prefer learning the news from the Internet?

Holidays and special days

1. How old are you?
2. In what season do you have your birthday?
3. How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
4. What is the best present you have ever had?
5. What other holidays and special days are celebrated in your family?
6. What, from your point of view, is the best birthday present for a teenager?

Holidays and Special days

1. What is your favourite season? Why do you like it?
2. There are a lot of different holidays during a year, what holidays are the most popular in Russia?
3. What is your favourite holiday? Why do you like it?
4. How do you usually celebrate your favourite holiday?
5. What season is the best for visiting the place where you live? Why?
6. What would you recommend to a person who has a birthday present he or she doesn’t need?  

School holidays

1. What grade are you in?
2. How many school holidays do you have?
3. What school holidays do you like best of all?
4. Why do most teenagers enjoy school holidays so much?
5. What do you usually do during your summer holidays?
6. Do you think it is a good idea for a teenager to take a part time job during the summer holidays? Why?

Weekends

1. How old are you?
2. What is your favourite day of the week? Why do you like it?
3. When do you usually get up at weekends?
4. How do you usually spend your weekends?
5. What sport or hobby do you think you might try in the future?
6. What would you recommend to a student who wants to make his or her weekend more interesting?

Future career

1. What is your favourite school subject?
2. What do you like to do in your free time?
3. What part time job would you like to do during the school holidays, if any?
4. What career would you like to choose after finishing school? Why?
5. Do you think English will be useful for you in the future? In what way?
6. What would you recommend to a teenager who can’t choose a career?