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Task 1. Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

As soon as spring brings a new growth of bushes and berries, bears start feeding. They eat and eat. All through the spring and summer their feeding goes on. The bears build themselves up. They store food and fats that they will need in the fall when they start their long sleep.

As days grow shorter, and the temperature begins to fall, bears hunt for a sleeping place. It may be a shallow cave, or a deep crack between rocks. Some bears end up sleeping in hollow logs. Logs seem to be bears’ favourite places. Bears seem to choose small spaces. They can keep warmer in a cave that’s just large enough to hold them than in a larger cave. They often line their sleeping place with leaves and dried grass.

All through their winter naps, bears will not eat. Often they will sleep for 7 months, moving only now and then.

Task 2. Study the advertisement.

You are going to study abroad for three months and want to find a swimming pool you could attend. You’d like to get more information about this swimming pool. In 1.5 minutes you are to ask five questions to find out the following:

Task 3. Imagine that you are showing your photo album to your friend. Choose one photo to present to your friend.

You will have to start speaking in 1.5 minutes and will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously. In your talk remember to speak about:  

∙••••when you took the photo

∙••••what/who is in the photo

∙••••what is happening

∙••••why you took the photo 

∙••••why you decided to show the picture to your friend

Task 4. Study the two photographs. In 1.5 minutes be ready to compare and contrast the photographs:

∙•••give a brief description (action, location)

∙•••say what the pictures have in common

∙•••say in what way the pictures are different

∙•••say which kind of life you’d prefer for wild animals 

∙•••explain why

You will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously.

Task 1. Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Many lands that had once been swamps were drained or filled in. There are different reasons why people drained swamplands. Some were drained to fight diseases caused by insects that lived in them. Because swamps were considered unpleasant places in which to live and harmful to health, many people thought that unless they were drained the land was worthless.

Other swamps were drained to make new land. As the population grew and more land was needed, people drained swamps or filled them to make room for more farms and factories, more roads and airports.

Few people thought that it might be harmful to get rid of swamps. As swamps disappeared, other things happened. There were both more floods and more droughts than before. There were also more fires, for swamps had acted as firebreaks. Hunters noticed that there was less wild game. Wild life that once lived in the swamps was dying out, because it had no place to live.

Task 2. Study the advertisement.

You are going to visit Japan this summer and you'd like to have more information about the flights to Japan. In 1.5 minutes you are to ask five questions to find out the following:

Task 3. Imagine that while travelling during your holidays you took some photos. Choose one photo to present to your friend. You will have to start speaking in 1.5 minutes and will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously. In your talk remember to speak about:

∙••••••when you took the photo

∙••••••what/who is in the photo

∙••••••what is happening

∙••••••why you took the photo 

∙••••••why you decided to show the picture to your friend

Task 4. Study the two photographs. In 1.5 minutes be ready to compare and contrast the photographs:

∙•••give a brief description (action, location)

∙•••say what the pictures have in common

∙•••say in what way the pictures are different

∙•••say which kind of life you’d prefer 

∙•••explain why

You will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously.

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people think that extreme sports help to build character.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200–250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people think that to get a good education one should go abroad.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200 – 250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 8. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 8, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

'It's Only Me'

After her husband had gone to work, Mrs Richards sent her children to school and went upstairs to her bedroom. She was too excited to do any 
1 ______ that morning, because in the evening she would be going to a fancy dress party with her husband. She intended to dress up as a ghost and she had 2 ______ her costume the night before. Now she was 3 ______ to try it on. Though the costume consisted only of a sheet, it was very effective.Mrs Richards put it 4 ______, looked in the mirror, smiled and went downstairs. She wanted to find out whether it would be 5 ______ to wear.

Just as Mrs Richards was entering the dining-room, there was a  6 ______ on the front door. She knew that it must be the baker. She had told him to come straight in if ever she failed to open the door and to leave the bread on the kitchen table. Not wanting to 7 ______ the poor man, Mrs Richards quickly hid in the small store-room under the stairs. She heard the front door open and heavy footsteps in the hall. Suddenly the door of the store-room was opened and a man entered. Mrs Richards realized that it must be the man from the Electricity Board who had come to read the meter. She tried to 8______ the situation, saying 'It's only me', but it was too late. The man let out a cry and jumped back several paces. When Mrs Richards walked towards him, he ran away, slamming the door behind him.

1. А) homework; Б) household; В) housework; Г) housewife

2. А) did; Б) made; В) built; Г) created

3. А) nervous; Б) restless; В) ill at ease; Г) impatient

4. А) up; Б) on; В) over; Г) down

5. А) attractive; Б) exciting; В) comfortable; Г) cozy

6. А) knock; Б) kick; В) hit; Г) crash

7. А) fear; Б) worry; В) disturb; Г) frighten

8. А) describe; Б) explain; В) interpret; Г) clear

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 8. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 8, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

The Great Discovery

In ancient times people lived on whatever food they could find. As the early people 1 ______ in numbers, they had to wander and search for wild fruits and seeds of wild plants or hunt for small animals.

Then one of these early people 2 ______ a great discovery. A great genius discovered the meaning of seeds. He may have noticed that where some seeds had fallen on the ground, new plants grew. Perhaps he was 3 ______ enough to put some seeds in the ground to see what would happen. No one knows how it happened, but man 4 ______ that if he put a seed into the soil it could grow into a plant which might yield hundreds or even thousands of seeds!

He was free of the need to be in a constant 5 ______ of his food!

Early man could now 6 ______ seeds in the spring and wait for them to grow.

In the fall he could gather a harvest of seeds. There would be enough to 
7 ______ himself and his family all through the winter, with some left over for planting when spring came.

This discovery was the beginning of 8 ______ and the most important change that ever happened to people on earth.

 1. А) decreased; Б) increased; В) developed; Г) improved

2. А) fulfilled; Б) did; В) made; Г) conducted

3. А) curious; Б) questioning; В) surprised; Г) puzzled

4. А) disclosed; Б) opened; В) discovered; Г) exposed

5. А) investigation; Б) exploration; В) look; Г) search

6. А) put; Б) plant; В) deliver; Г) lay

7. А) feed; Б) food; В) provide; Г) nourish

8. А) gardening; Б) cropping; В) cultivation; Г) farming

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 8. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 8, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

Light from the Past

When you stand and look at the stars, you are really looking at past history. The light from Alkaid, the end star in the handle of the Big Dipper, has taken about 210 years to 1 ______ your eyes. If Alkaid stopped 
2 ______ today, people on earth would still see it 3 ______ about 210 years. Some of the stars you see here tonight may have stopped existing several thousand years ago. The light from some 4 ______ stars right now will not be seen on earth until thousands, or even millions, of years from now!

It’s 5 ______ breathtaking, and it 6 ______ to the great mystery about the nature of light. Think about water waves. They get smaller and smaller in amplitude as they travel. Their energy is lost in friction among the water molecules. Think of sound waves in air. They too get weaker and weaker because of friction among the air molecules.

But light waves stop only if they strike something, and their energy is transferred 7 ______ another form. 8 ______, they can go on and on, at the same terrific speed, with no loss of energy, forever!

1. A) approach; Б) reach; В) hit; Г) achieve

2. A) burning; Б) flashing; В) blushing; Г) shining

3. A) after; Б) through; В) for; Г) at

4. A) farewell; Б) faraway; В) far; Г) fair

5. A) quit; Б) quick; В) quiet; Г) quite

6. A) enlarges; Б) increases; В) adds; Г) multiplies

7. A) into; Б) onto; В) for; Г) at

8. A) although; Б) otherwise; В) whatever; Г) either

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 8. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 8, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

The First Day at School

Do you remember your first day at school? It was probably 1 ____ confusing. Now, to 2 ____ this confusion, many primary schools in England have a special teacher who welcomes new pupils. She is 3 ____ a reception class teacher. The children are 4 ____ with the idea of school and if they have been good, they can’t understand why they have to go to school. They imagine that school is optional. When the child goes to school on his first day and watches his mother leaving he thinks that she is deserting him. The teacher must 5 ____ him that at the end of the day his mother will be back and take him home. The children are not the only people that are disturbed by going to school. The teacher sometimes has as much difficulty in 6 ____ with the mothers. They hang around and dislike leaving the child without their protection.

The best way to 7 ____ with the situation is to get the child used to the idea of school. Before the beginning of term, the mother should take her child to see the teacher and to look 8 ____ the school. The first day should be something to emphasize the regularity of school.

1. А) enough; Б) rarely; В) rather; Г) equally

2. A) escape; Б) defeat; В) beat; Г) avoid

3. A) named; Б) called; В) said; Г) told

4. A) afraid; Б) threatened; В) endangered; Г) risked

5. A) convince; Б) prove; В) explain; Г) announce

6. A) managing; Б) guiding; В) coping; Г) handling

7. A) face; Б) deal; В) touch; Г) consider

8. A) through; Б) about; В) after; Г) round

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 8. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 8, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

Your Future World

What will you be doing in 2025? Will you be living in an undersea research station? Will you be the chief engineer 1 ______ a bridge across the Atlantic Ocean? Will you be leading an 2 ______ to the planet Mars? Will you be …?

You can daydream, of course, but nobody knows exactly what the world will be 3 ______. But scientists have made some guesses.

Based on the advances made, they believe people will be healthier. Diphtheria, malaria, tuberculosis, polio and many other killers are under control now. These diseases are on the way out, 4 ______ to germ-killing chemicals, new ways of finding out about our bodies, and new ways of providing clean, safe5 ______ and water.

Healthier people live longer, so we can expect the world’s population to 6 ______ sharply. It may double in the next forty years! This brings up a serious problem: how will we find food, water, and minerals for such a huge population?

Scientists are at work on some 7 ______. From the ocean they hope to get new fertilizers to increase the yield of the soil; new chemicals to kill crop-destroying insects without 8 ______ other animals, new sources of water or supplies of food.

1. A) inventing; Б) designing; В) scheming; Г) doing

2. A) exploration; Б) expenditure; В) expedition; Г) exhibit

3. A) like; Б) alike; В) likely; Г) likable

4. A) as a result; Б) because; В) on account; Г) thanks

5. A) eat; Б) feed; В) food; Г) cooking

6. A) decrease; Б) distract; В) dissolve; Г) increase

7. A) solutions; Б) alternatives; В) preferences; Г) questions

8. A) hurting; Б) harming; В) injuring; Г) wounding

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 8. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 8, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

Alaska

The first Europeans to visit what is now called Alaska were Russian sailors led by Captain Bering. The 1 ______ was funded by Russian czar Peter the Great. In 1728 Bering and his crew 2 ______ through the strait that is now named after him, between the easternmost part of Asia and the westernmost part of the Americas. Their journey 3 ______ that Asia was not connected to North America; however, due to the heavy fog, they never actually saw the nearby land of North America. In 1741 Bering headed further south, landing on tiny Kayak Island off the 4 ______ of what is now the southeastern part of the state.

In the 1780s and 1790s Russians began small colonies, first on Kodiak Island and later on the mainland. In 1799 the Russian-American Company was established to 5 ______ Russian interests. For the next 68 years the company provided the only form of government for the European colonists, 6______ never numbered more than a few hundred. The Russians ruled the 7 ______ until the late 1860s, when they sold it to the United States for $7.2 million dollars.

The 8 ______ of gold in 1896 in the Yukon Territory started a huge gold rush that brought thousands of settlers.

1. A) travel; Б) trip; В) journey; Г) expedition

2. A) paddled; Б) sailed; В) travelled; Г) rowed

3. A) proved; Б) convinced; В) persuaded; Г) appeared

4. A) bank; Б) beach; В) shore; Г) sea-side

5. A) look after; Б) look at; В) look for; Г) look away

6. A) which; Б) whose; В) what; Г) who

7. A) country; Б) area; В) ground; Г) earth

8. A) discovery; Б) detection; В) exploration; Г) innovation

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 8. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 8, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

Ordinary

“Ordinary” was the worst word she could find for anything. She and I would argue fiercely because I wanted to be ordinary as desperately as my mother wanted to be 1 ______ .

“I can’t 2 ______ that hair-do”, she said when I went to the hairdresser with my friend and came back with a pageboy haircut straight out of Seventeenmagazine, “It’s so terribly ordinary”. Not ugly, not unsuitable. But ordinary.

Her 3 ______ of ordinariness came out most strongly in her clothes.

“Couldn’t you please 4 ______ something else?” I asked her when she was dressing for Parents’ Day in tight-fitting pants and a bright pink sweater, with a Mexican cape.

“What’s wrong with my outfit?”

What wasn’t wrong with it!

“It’s just that I wish it would be something more plain,” I said sheepishly, “something that people won’t 5 ______ at.”

She looked at me angrily and drew herself 6 ______ to her full height of five feet ten inches.

“Are you 7 ______ of your own mother? Because if you are, Isadora, I feel 8 ______ for you. I really do.”

1. A) uncommon; Б) unusual; В) odd; Г) peculiar

2. A) stand; Б) approve; В) agree; Г) vote

3. A) worry; Б) trouble; В) panic; Г) fear

4. A) dress; Б) put; В) wear; Г) clothe

5. A) watch; Б) stare; В) glance; Г) peep

6. A) up; Б) on; В) over; Г) at

7. A) sorry; Б) shamed; В) ashamed; Г) angry

8. A) regretful; Б) sorry; В) guilty; Г) unhappy

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 7. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 7, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

Searching for a New Programme

A healthy lifestyle can vastly improve your well-being. This is a lifestyle designed for those who wish to feel more certain about their health and more in control of what the present and future will bring them in that important 1 ______ of existence. None of us wants to be sick. None of us enjoys the idea that we may become a medical statistic. This is a simple, easy-to-follow health-style that can enable you to get cards very much in your 2 ______. The doctors were fortunate enough to come into 3 ______ with a field of study that brought them to healing and well-being that they so desperately needed. They personally have 4 ______ thousands of people improve their health using only a small part of information. Many more people begin to improve their health now. Embracing the most current information from many health-related fields, the programme of healthy lifestyle gives you an understanding of the impact of exercise, breathing, sunshine, sleep and much more on your health. In order for this programme to work for you, you have to be willing to apply at least some part of it. Some change will be 5 ______. And as you make those first modest changes, you will get positive results that encourage you to do more. Changing is fun. And if you realize that your new healthy lifestyle 6 ______ the making of new habits, not the 7 ______ of old ones, you will feel very positive about what the future holds for you.

1. А) sector Б) region В) area Г) territory

2. А) benefit Б) advantage В) privilege Г) favour

3. А) touch Б) contact В) view Г) connection

4. А) confessed Б) witnessed В) determined Г) recognized

5. А) ordered Б) commanded В) forced Г) required

6. А) contains Б) consists В) involves Г) encloses

7. А) breaking Б) damaging В) ruining Г) destroying

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 7. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 7, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

To the North of London

The Aldenham Country Park is a large and pleasant area easily reached if you are travelling north out of London. It is worth visiting if you want a quick breath of fresh air and a reasonably attractive place for a brief picnic. The most important point of the park is Aldenham Reservoir. It was built in 1796 to 1______ the water level in the river 2 ______ by the newly constructed Grand Union Canal, and more recently has been used as a reserve public water supply. Not far from there lies the busy town of Watford which can be recommended for a brief visit. And in any 3 ______ much more interesting stretches of the canal are met further north. And if you make your way through the town you can visit the Watford Museum in the High Street which has materials on printing and paper-making on 4 ______. The picture gallery has changing exhibitions of works by artists who lived or painted in the area. Another attraction of the neighbourhood is a fascinating complex of Roman buildings, the 5 ______ of a great city, once the third largest centre of Roman Britain. The private houses were impressive, many of them furnished with mosaic floors. The beauty of the mosaics can hardly be described on paper, and it is best 6 ______ by standing and looking for a while. The other principal Roman site to be visited is a long stretch of the city wall which 7 ______ back to the 3rd century.

1. А) remain Б) support В) hold Г) maintain

2. А) confused Б) affected В) bothered Г) disturbed

3. А) condition Б) situation В) circumstance Г) case

4. А) presentation Б) display В) demonstration Г) exhibition

5. А) remains Б) wastes В) wreckage Г) reminders

6. А) praised Б) approved В) appreciated Г) regarded

7. А) dates Б) returns В) follows Г) comes

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 1 – 7. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 1 – 7, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов (А, Б, В, Г). Установите соответствие номера пропуска варианту ответа.

Sharing music with friends

Brenda is a nineteen-year old full-time college student, and she earns money working part time as a waitress. Brenda loves to listen to music like most young people, but she can’t 1 _____ the high CD prices that record companies 2 _____ for popular CDs. Brenda says that the prices of CDs are ridiculously high at $17 to $20 each and there are only two or three good songs on each CD.

She 3 _____ an apartment with three other roommates. She pays her own 4 _____ and she also pays most of her 5 _____. Her solution to expensive CDs is to download or copy music from the Internet. Brenda and millions of other people are called “downloaders” because they download free file-sharing software and music. When Brenda later gives, shares, or trades her music files free over the Internet, she is also an uploader. She considers herself an active music uploader, but the music industry considers her a 6 _____. From 2001 on, the Recording Industry Association of America has sued and fined dozens of file-sharing services, for uploading music files, and hundreds of people, for 7 _____ the law by downloading music.

1. А) provide Б) supply В) afford Г) allow

2. А) offer Б) charge В) suggest Г) propose

3. А) leases Б) lends В) hires Г) rents

4. А) lessons Б) classes В) tuition Г) education

5. А) costs Б) fees В) expenses Г) payments

6. А) thief Б) cheater В) burglar Г) bandit

7. А) undermining Б) disobeying В) breaking Г) ruining

Task 1. Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

As soon as spring brings a new growth of bushes and berries, bears start feeding. They eat and eat. All through the spring and summer their feeding goes on. The bears build themselves up. They store food and fats that they will need in the fall when they start their long sleep.

As days grow shorter, and the temperature begins to fall, bears hunt for a sleeping place. It may be a shallow cave, or a deep crack between rocks. Some bears end up sleeping in hollow logs. Logs seem to be bears’ favourite places. Bears seem to choose small spaces. They can keep warmer in a cave that’s just large enough to hold them than in a larger cave. They often line their sleeping place with leaves and dried grass.

All through their winter naps, bears will not eat. Often they will sleep for 7 months, moving only now and then.

Task 2. Study the advertisement.

You are going to study abroad for three months and want to find a swimming pool you could attend. You’d like to get more information about this swimming pool. In 1.5 minutes you are to ask five questions to find out the following:

Task 3. Imagine that you are showing your photo album to your friend. Choose one photo to present to your friend.

You will have to start speaking in 1.5 minutes and will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously. In your talk remember to speak about:  

∙••••when you took the photo

∙••••what/who is in the photo

∙••••what is happening

∙••••why you took the photo 

∙••••why you decided to show the picture to your friend

Task 4. Study the two photographs. In 1.5 minutes be ready to compare and contrast the photographs:

∙•••give a brief description (action, location)

∙•••say what the pictures have in common

∙•••say in what way the pictures are different

∙•••say which kind of life you’d prefer for wild animals 

∙•••explain why

You will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously.

Task 1. Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Many lands that had once been swamps were drained or filled in. There are different reasons why people drained swamplands. Some were drained to fight diseases caused by insects that lived in them. Because swamps were considered unpleasant places in which to live and harmful to health, many people thought that unless they were drained the land was worthless.

Other swamps were drained to make new land. As the population grew and more land was needed, people drained swamps or filled them to make room for more farms and factories, more roads and airports.

Few people thought that it might be harmful to get rid of swamps. As swamps disappeared, other things happened. There were both more floods and more droughts than before. There were also more fires, for swamps had acted as firebreaks. Hunters noticed that there was less wild game. Wild life that once lived in the swamps was dying out, because it had no place to live.

Task 2. Study the advertisement.

You are going to visit Japan this summer and you'd like to have more information about the flights to Japan. In 1.5 minutes you are to ask five questions to find out the following:

Task 3. Imagine that while travelling during your holidays you took some photos. Choose one photo to present to your friend. You will have to start speaking in 1.5 minutes and will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously. In your talk remember to speak about:

∙••••••when you took the photo

∙••••••what/who is in the photo

∙••••••what is happening

∙••••••why you took the photo 

∙••••••why you decided to show the picture to your friend

Task 4. Study the two photographs. In 1.5 minutes be ready to compare and contrast the photographs:

∙•••give a brief description (action, location)

∙•••say what the pictures have in common

∙•••say in what way the pictures are different

∙•••say which kind of life you’d prefer 

∙•••explain why

You will speak for not more than 2 minutes. You have to talk continuously.

Task 4. Study the two photographs. In 1.5 minutes be ready to compare and contrast the photographs:

·       give a brief description of the photos (action, location)

·       say what the pictures have in common

·       say in what way the pictures are different

·       say which of the activities presented in the pictures you’d prefer

·       explain why

You will speak for not more than 2 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.

Task 3. Imagine that these are photos from you album. Choose one photo to present to your friend. You will have to start speaking in 1.5 minutes and will speak for not more than 2 minutes (12–15 sentences). In your talk remember to speak about:

·       when you took the photo

·       what/who is in the photo

·       what is happening

·       why you took the photo

·       why you decided to show the picture to your friend

You have to talk continuously, starting with:

“I’ve chosen photo number …”.

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people think that extreme sports help to build character.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200–250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people think that to get a good education one should go abroad.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200 – 250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people think that you can have only one true friend.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200 – 250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people think that learning foreign languages is a waste of time and money.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200 – 250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people think that young people should follow in their parents' footsteps when choosing a profession.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200 – 250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

You have 20 minutes to do this task.

You have received a letter from your pen-friend Tom who writes:

… In our city we have an annual competition for teenagers who make their own short films. This year I got the second prize for a film about my grandparents. Do you think it’s important to record family history? Who do you think should do it? How can it be done best?

This month is my mom’s birthday and now I am thinking about a gift for her. I want it to be very special…

Write a letter to Tom.

In your letter

-       − answer his questions

-       − ask 3 questions about his mom

Write 100 – 140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

You have 20 minutes to do this task.

You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Jane who writes:

… I have just returned from our school volleyball competition. I played for my class team and we won! What sport competitions are held in your school, if any? How can you become a member of your school sport team? Is it an easy thing to do? What kind of sport sections can you attend at school or in town?

Oh, I have some more good news! My sister had a great birthday party yesterday!

Write a letter to Jane.

In your letter

-       answer her questions

-       ask 3 questions about her sister’s birthday party

Write 100 – 140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

You have 20 minutes to do this task.

You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Jane who writes:

… Yesterday my Mum asked me to help her about the house. We were very busy with cleaning up after the birthday party the whole morning. I got quite tired and even missed my fitness class. What are your family duties, if any? Is there anything you especially like or dislike about house work? Do you find helping your parents necessary, why or why not?

Oh, I have some great news! I got a lovely kitten for my birthday...

Write a letter to Jane.

In your letter

-       answer her questions

-       ask 3 questions about her kitten

Write 100–140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

You have 20 minutes to do this task.

You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Tom who writes:

Last month our class went to Washington to visit the National Museum of American History. It was my first visit there and it was fun! How often do you go to museums with your class, if at all? Which museum is your favourite or what museum would you like to visit? Why do you think people should go there?

This summer we plan to go hiking with my parents.

Write a letter to Tom.

In your letter

-       answer his questions

-       ask 3 questions about his summer plans

Write 100 – 140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

Comment on the following statement.

Virtual Internet communication results in losing real-life social skills.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200–250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

Comment on the following statement.

In any occupation discipline is more important than talent.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200–250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position

You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Robert who writes:

Write a letter to Robert.

In your letter

-       answer his questions

-       ask 3 questions about the cooking competition

Write 100–140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

Comment on the following statement.

A person who is fluent in a foreign language can easily work as an interpreter.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with this statement?

Write 200–250 words.

Use the following plan:

− make an introduction (state the problem)

− express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion

− express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion

− explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

− make a conclusion restating your position