Europe best hidden gems ответы егэ

Задание №8934.
Чтение. ЕГЭ по английскому

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

Europe’s best hidden gems

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

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

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

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

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

A B C D E F
           

Решение:
Пропуску A соответствует часть текста под номером 2.
Пропуску B соответствует часть текста под номером 4.
Пропуску C соответствует часть текста под номером 3.
Пропуску D соответствует часть текста под номером 6.
Пропуску E соответствует часть текста под номером 5.
Пропуску F соответствует часть текста под номером 7.

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

Fire Crews Hunt Escaped Hamster

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. through a small hole in the floor

  2. through the hole for the hamster

  3. and locked the runaway hamster

  4. to come out of the hole

  5. to look after the pet

  6. to try and locate the missing hamster

  7. and left it under the floorboards

Ответ

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Task 2

Speed of eating is ‘key to obesity’

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

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

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

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

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

  1. just overfill your stomach

  2. could be bad for your weight

  3. have a habit of eating quickly

  4. linked to obesity

  5. eat as slowly as possible

  6. put on weight

  7. learned at a very early age

Ответ

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Task 3

Hi-Tech Brings Families Together 

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

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

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

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

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

  1. than any other group

  2. watching television

  3. in the company of someone else

  4. than two computers in the home

  5. communicated with their families

  6. helping them communicate

  7. owning a mobile

Ответ

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Task 4

The Power of ‘Hello’ 

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

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

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

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

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

  1. it has become a way of life.

  2. when it passes you on the street.

  3. when you see him and talk to him.

  4. and it lets them come into mine, too.

  5. so I did not pay any attention to him.

  6. however small or simple the greeting is.

  7. how far he thought I could go in his company.

Ответ

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Task 5

Friendship and Love

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

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

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

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

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

  1. but we did anyway.

  2. whenever a need arises.

  3. they did not really care.

  4. whenever they need your help.

  5. could not guarantee would even last.

  6. am eternally grateful for a second chance.

  7. someone will always have a shoulder to cry on.

Ответ

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B

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Task 6

Mobile phones

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. trying to persuade people to do more with their phones than just call and text

  2. that there would be more phones in the UK than there are people

  3. and relying instead on actual call charges

  4. that mobile phones would have over the next quarter century

  5. the leap from phones as technology to phones as fashion items

  6. and his son was making the first-ever mobile phone call in the UK

  7. the move to digital technology, connecting machines to wireless networks

Ответ

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Task 7

London Zoo

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. such as hunting exotic animals and selling furs

  2. as well as the ins and outs of being a keeper at London Zoo

  3. which take place every day, from

  4. because they see and touch them close up 

  5. despite the serious side to our work

  6. which demand much time and effort

  7. that is not counting every ant in the colony

Ответ

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Task 8

‘Second Stonehenge’ discovered near original

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. which could reveal

  2. which they stood

  3. which it was once made up

  4. that this stretch of the river Avon

  5. that there might have been something

  6. that it should be considered as integral part

  7. that leads from the river Avon to Stonehenge

Ответ

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Task 9

Australia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. that once stood here

  2. that is almost continent long

  3. whose property is situated to the north of Tasmania

  4. whose landscape — much of bleak and inhospitable

  5. whose beauty reminds of the MacDonald Ranges

  6. Although its annual rainfall looks adequate on paper

  7. Although there is still seismic activity in the eastern highland area

Ответ

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B

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Task 10

Scotland Yard

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. which is contacted by radio

  2. that familiar figure of the London scene

  3. for they are accustomed to military bands

  4. which possesses its own separate police force

  5. which contains murder relics and forgery exhibits

  6. that this policeman will bring the criminal to justice

  7. whereas the same search would take six men an hour

Ответ

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Task 11

Harry Potter course for university students 

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

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

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

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

  1. up for the optional module, part of

  2. to emerge four or five years ago to see

  3. to examine prejudice, citizenship and bullying in

  4. such as the response of the writer

  5. including the world of rituals, prejudice and intolerance in

  6. to growing demand from the student

  7. such as the moral universe of the school

Ответ

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Task 12

Laughing and evolution

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. whether laughing emerged earlier on than humans did

  2. to create the evolutionary tree linking humans and apes

  3. that laughter is a uniquely human trait

  4. that humans were closest to chimps and bonobos

  5. that laughing comes from a common primate ancestor

  6. while their caretakers tickled them

  7. to trace the origin of laughter back

Ответ

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Task 13

Nenets culture affected by global warming

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

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

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

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

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

  1. when the ice was finally thick enough to cross

  2. that the impact on Russia would be disastrous

  3. the environment is under pressure

  4. and in the end what is good for the reindeer is good for us

  5. and set up their camps in the southern forests

  6. that Yamal’s ancient permafrost is melting

  7. when the reindeer give birth in May

Ответ

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Task 14

Duration of life and its social implications

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

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

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

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

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

  1. which recently replaced Italy as the world’s oldest major country

  2. alarm about these changes

  3. a huge shift towards an ageing population

  4. change is due to

  5. while patterns of work and retirement will have huge implications

  6. which shows the balance between working-age people and the older

  7. as proportions of older people increase in most countries

Ответ

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Task 15

Elephants sense ‘danger’ clothes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. either a Maasai or a Kamba man

  2. who do not hunt elephants

  3. when they detected the smell of clothes

  4. who carried out the research

  5. the amount of risk they sense

  6. spearing elephants

  7. when they spotted red but not white cloth

Ответ

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Task 16

Culture and customs

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

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

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

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

  1. to perform other actions

  2. outnumber traditional telephones

  3. to communicate with each other 

  4. combined with the Internet

  5. to serve basic needs

  6. banned in some countries

  7. carry in our pockets

Ответ

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Task 17

My Stage

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

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

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

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

  1. like she was a rag doll

  2. whether I was good at it or not

  3. wished I, too, could be on stage

  4. and I designed the rest

  5. and I was star struck

  6. so Heather could do her tap routine

  7. because she got to go to dance lessons

Ответ

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Task 18

Cat’s punctuality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. on the look-out for more treats

  2. from the pavement between 0800 and 0815 GMT

  3. to discover Sergeant Podge was back outside her home

  4. on a pavement about one and a half miles (2.4km) away

  5. to identify if anyone had bumped into him

  6. when her son is having a lie-in

  7. collected by car every morning

Ответ

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Task 19

Do you speak English?

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

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

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

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

  1. whatever it costs

  2. most excellent impression

  3. you have never heard of before, and nobody else either

  4. in the first three years you do not need to learn or use any other adjectives

  5. would never know it really well

  6. far from being the whole vocabulary of the language

  7. and all this

Ответ

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Task 20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. which is above Earth’s atmosphere.

  2. which are transmitted to scientists on Earth.

  3. which is invisible to the human eye.

  4. who calculated the speed at which galaxies move.

  5. so it has a clear view of space.

  6. because many stars are in clouds of gas.

  7. but where it is.

Ответ

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Task 21

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

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

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

  1. and finally measure them.

  2. since it was heard 3,000 miles away.

  3. and they have been able to put many of these discoveries to practical use.

  4. that loud sound is of high intensity.

  5. as they study mechanical forces.

  6. as a painful sensation in the ear.

  7. that the unaided human ear can detect.

Ответ

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Task 22

Chocolate 

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

  1. the chocolate consumed today is made

  2. that chocolate, eaten in moderation

  3. central and southern America for

  4. of the world’s most popular flavours

  5. hand contains no cocoa solids and

  6. cacao seeds are intensely bitter and have

  7. many countries worldwide at

Ответ

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Task 23

Reality TV

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

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

  1. due to basic human instinct that

  2. is still early to judge

  3. are simply the cycles of fashion

  4. but more usually the stars are members

  5. that the television phenomenon

  6. is a type of programme that

  7. seem to have disappeared

Ответ

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Task 24

Mikhail Lomonosov and Moscow State University

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

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

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

  1. who suggested in his letter to Count Shuvalov the idea

  2. to mechanics, chemistry and mineralogy

  3. a person of formidable willpower and keen scientific mind

  4. favourite of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, the patron of arts and science

  5. the contemporary European powers in

  6. are marked by special events and festivities at

  7. famous among all educated people

Ответ

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Task 25

Window Shopping

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

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

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

  1. not like to spend our time

  2. that it’s probably not quite

  3. that particular day turned

  4. our real shopping in

  5. sometimes go shopping for real

  6. anything you want and there is

  7. but when we are together

Ответ

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Task 26

The Hotel

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

  1. me to take a print of your credit card

  2. points poured out smoothly, no verbal

  3. if I would even see her when

  4. although it seemed virtually identical

  5. so sure was I that nobody would

  6. me to help you with your luggage

  7. as if I am being processed like a product

Ответ

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Task 27

Lindsay Wildlife Museum

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

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

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

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

  1. that a permanent, year-round site was necessary

  2. as well as field trips focused on the natural world

  3. many hours of service to wildlife care and fundraising

  4. that had been injured or orphaned because of intense

  5. that needed public attention and a new building

  6. as well as teach children and adults about nature

  7. through education programmes and on-site tours

Ответ

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Task 28

America’s fun place on America’s main street

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

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

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

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

  1. that are offered to the visitors

  2. its glamorous past and fun-filled present

  3. as a landmark reminder of wonderful experiences

  4. by joining our e-community

  5. that was sweeping the country

  6. celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War

  7. to learn more about American history

Ответ

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Task 29

Number of teenagers with Saturday job drops

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

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

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

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

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

  1. that it was researching the system of funding education after 16

  2. 260,000 teenagers have a Saturday job compared with 435,000

  3. but young people are leaving education increasingly less experienced

  4. that inspire young people is immeasurable

  5. but an increasing shortage of work experience means

  6. that young people should stay on at school, as

  7. but a lot more of it is being done online

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Task 30

Lots of fun in Cardiff

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

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

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

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

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

  1. from international names to family-run guest houses

  2. joining some of Wales’ most talented musicians

  3. having their summer holidays in Cardiff

  4. that usually attract hundreds of theatre lovers

  5. which features music, film, literature and graphics

  6. from pantomimes to Christmas tree celebrations

  7. beating with dance and theatrical performances

Ответ

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Task 31

Changing image

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

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

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

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

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

  1. as well as resources on art, technology and drama

  2. as well as the idols of popular music and the icons

  3. who is sitting to determine exact measurements

  4. ranging from special effects to fully animated figures

  5. ranging from all kinds of souvenirs to sports equipment

  6. that reflect contemporary public opinion and celebrity

  7. who are eager to help in any possible way they can

Ответ

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Task 32

Saturday jobs: memories of weekend working

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

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

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

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

  1. and things would be different if everyone was given the chance

  2. which let me know he approved of me

  3. and I persuaded my local club to let me use a court on Saturdays

  4. which I needed to become a professional skier

  5. which I would happily spend as I liked

  6. that I spent in the kitchen of a busy country pub in East Sussex

  7. but soon I got adults wanting to book lessons

Ответ

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Task 33

Orient Express

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. elegant meals were served to passengers

  2. to use trains for long distance travel and vacations

  3. who rode the train

  4. who wrote about it

  5. which connected Switzerland and Italy

  6. that served dishes and wines

  7. there was no money

Ответ

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B

C

D

E

F

1

2

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Task 34

Arizona’s world class cruise

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

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

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

  1. that nature has ever created in the wild

  2. that none of the others have

  3. hovering over the magnificent lake

  4. who retells the legends of the mysterious past

  5. for yourself why there is nothing quite

  6. who pays much attention to children’s safety

  7. continuing a tradition of cruising since 1925

Ответ

A

B

C

D

E

F

7

2

1

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Task 35

US Congress

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

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

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

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

In fact other organizations have grown in number D ____.

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

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

  1. as party influence has declined

  2. against the spirit of the Constitution

  3. being so large (435 members)

  4. empowered to make laws

  5. unlike the British Parliament

  6. by which the business of Congress is carried on

  7. who in turn are elected by the full party membership

Ответ

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B

C

D

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Task 36

The Trailblazers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. to spread U.S. ideas and government

  2. for the first time in history

  3. thus replacing them forever

  4. as territories became interdependent

  5. the use of covered wagons

  6. by taking land from Native peoples

  7. forming the largest mass migration in history

Ответ

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B

C

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Task 37

A Young Mayor

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

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

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

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

  1. who is not a member of any political party

  2. that our village would be protected from outside interests

  3. but it was not a total shock to her

  4. being a politics student at the university

  5. so she can do her job as mayor properly

  6. who is only just old enough to vote herself

  7. will have to find time for her work as mayor

Ответ

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B

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Task 38

Is there enough to say?

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

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

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

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

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

  1. has been developed very quickly

  2. not understand why they are doing it for

  3. as Americans call them

  4. riding halfway across the country on a horse

  5. just because they can

  6. can also be used to take and send photos

  7. fingers immediately switch on the mobile phone

Ответ

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Task 39

Promoting language learning

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

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

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

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

  1. and the languages of the EU’s major trading partners

  2. which includes language teaching and learning

  3. cinemas and television in other EU countries

  4. which enhance the impact of language teaching and learning

  5. funding a number of educational programmes

  6. and encouraging people to learn new languages

  7. where details about the application procedures are given

Ответ

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Task 40

Starting your own business

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

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

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

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

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

  1. the essentials of starting

  2. that awaits when you step

  3. trials and tribulations of employment

  4. establishing and conducting

  5. preparing a business plan

  6. waiting to be acquired

  7. undertaking the commercial activity

Ответ

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Task 41

Archaeology done underwater

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

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

archaeology. All of these interchangeable terms mean simply C_____.

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

  1. that existed long before the invention of writing

  2. that nearly every object made by humans

  3. what those people were really like

  4. which is concerned only with ships and the history of seafaring

  5. that it is the study of archaeology done underwater

  6. and whether it finds sunken ships or old cities

  7. and what was discovered underwater

Ответ

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Task 42

Visiting the Royal Parks

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

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

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

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

The Royal Parks are for everyone to enjoy.

  1. that are displayed during the nesting season

  2. while the city has grown up around them

  3. and admire the changing leaves as autumn arrives

  4. where they are not allowed or should be kept on a lead

  5. who are tired of the noise, crowds and excitement of sightseeing

  6. who does not know the route to the place of destination

  7. that take cyclists away from traffic

Ответ

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B

C

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F

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1

Task 43

The Survival of the Welsh Language

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. as well as education and the law

  2. the only one of a number of allied languages that remain

  3. with radio and the English press further speeding the decline

  4. many being able to speak Welsh only

  5. where Welsh was studied as language and literature in an academic manner

  6. apart from the fact that Welsh was not permitted to be used at all in the schools

  7. bringing a flood of immigrant labour from all over Britain

Ответ

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B

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F

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Task 44

Secrets of Long Life

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

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

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

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

  1. make it a healthy diet

  2. other parts of the world

  3. four times higher than the average

  4. have a cultural tradition

  5. sends a signal to the body

  6. the rest of the population

  7. makes the body protect itself

Ответ

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Task 45

Beaches of Portugal

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

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

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

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

  1. where one can enjoy close contact with

  2. which meet every need of their users

  3. than to discover them once for oneself

  4. who has never been to this wonderful city

  5. which is ideal for various water sports

  6. to the smaller coves, sheltered by huge cliffs

  7. who have different options around the capital

Ответ

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Task 46

The Joy of Reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. try to avoid the boredom of life

  2. that has consistently remained part of society

  3. that they are not alone

  4. going through something difficult

  5. without having to bear any responsibility

  6. that range from unlikely to impossible

  7. at your own pace

Ответ

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Task 47

Peter and Paul Fortress

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

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

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

  1. as the day of the birth of St. Petersburg

  2. which was designed by D. Trezzini

  3. which was the burial place of Russian

  4. and reminding of the rich history of the city

  5. as the most protected part of the city

  6. which is located on the spire of the cathedral

  7. that are located at the corners

Ответ

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Task 48

Surviving in a Desert

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

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

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

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

  1. which is often in the form of hills called sand dunes

  2. whenever it rains

  3. to find water as far as 25 metres away

  4. which can receive up to 10,000 mm of rain annually

  5. to better distribute their body heat and stay cool

  6. even though the desert environment is very dry and hot

  7. that help them to live in the desert

Ответ

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Task 49

Nevsky Prospect

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

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

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

  1. and hotels there or nearby the avenue

  2. showing the original width of the avenue

  3. which was not as straight as it was planned

  4. which were built by famous architects and

  5. connecting these two important structures with

  6. and a few rows of trees were planted along the street

  7. as the 40 largest banks of Russia, Europe and America

Ответ

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Task 50

Whales in a Noisy Ocean

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

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

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

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

  1. in using underwater microphones

  2. to locate food and find their way

  3. result in injury and even death

  4. track and identify their habitats

  5. to filter out food from the water

  6. to provide a platform for marine research

  7. when large numbers come ashore

Ответ

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Task 51

Unique nature of Kamchatka

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

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

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

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

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

  1. which are depicted on most souvenirs there

  2. so it is necessary to monitor it all the time

  3. who love fishing, including Kamchatka bears

  4. which has the second largest concentration of

  5. to be a place of many water sources

  6. to be a popular nature reserve and health resort

  7. that makes it a place to visit when

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Task 52

The life of Pi

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

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

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

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

  1. read the book to find out what happens

  2. some food and water on the lifeboat

  3. his knowledge of animals to control the tiger

  4. received an award for being strong

  5. sold seven million copies worldwide

  6. learn about Pi’s childhood in Pondicherry

  7. a terrible storm and the ship sinks

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Task 53

Santa Claus

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

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

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

  1. began to advertise Christmas shopping

  2. became the subject of many legends

  3. began dressing up unemployed men in

  4. is celebrated on the anniversary of

  5. was only a matter of time

  6. stretches all the way back to

  7. appeared in American popular culture

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Task 54

Welcome to the Smithsonian

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

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

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

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

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

  1. that is carried on regularly in each of the museums

  2. providing different materials in the arts, science and

  3. placing a spotlight on people and events in African American history

  4. that has been established within the Smithsonian complex

  5. which allows website visitors to upload their own stories or images

  6. and visitors can enjoy watching rare exhibits on

  7. and two museums are situated in New York City

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Task 55

National Gallery of Art

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

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

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

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

  1. which is now called the West building

  2. that the gallery brings daily profit to the country

  3. who are willing to share their possessions with the public

  4. who presented old master paintings and sculptures to the country

  5. as well as partnership with private organizations

  6. that the gallery is open daily and free of charge

  7. as well as an advanced research centre and an art library

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Task 56

Healthy school meals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. such as Easter and Christmas

  2. visiting a local farm

  3. local, fresh and organic where possible

  4. provide good quality food

  5. definitely improve after a good meal

  6. and about 100 bags are sold each day

  7. when the school was awarded

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Task 57

Walking is not enough to keep fit

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

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

  1. part in the project

  2. taking exercise

  3. gave marked health benefits

  4. in fitness levels

  5. on simply getting people to take exercise

  6. not enough to get fit

  7. a compromise between physiology and psychology

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Task 58

Double-decker Bus

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

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

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

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

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

  1. double-deckers are adored by thousands of tourists

  2. use double-decker buses for public transport

  3. double-decker city buses are less common

  4. where perhaps the most famous was the London Routemaster

  5. their use is being discouraged by transportation authorities

  6. have an open upper deck

  7. where buses are sometimes the only interstate transport

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Task 59

Natural Links In a Long Chain of Being

I believe we are not alone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. I never quite leave home

  2. but human nature does not

  3. that we are now harvesting

  4. but we as well as our heart did not

  5. not worse than those who came before us

  6. just as the farmers who came before me did

  7. that our ancestors have gone through this before

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Task 60

The Show Begins

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

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

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

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

  1. I could be playing down there someday

  2. and set real close together

  3. which were so old and posh

  4. and he had a beard and moustache

  5. I wasn’t that good at music

  6. getting ready and warming up

  7. laughing and chattering away

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Task 61

Scouting moves ahead

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

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

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

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

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

  1. who are more interested in the past

  2. and girls in blue uniforms

  3. that were generally better

  4. was not particularly unusual as

  5. went on camping expeditions

  6. interact with other people

  7. had become a popular activity

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Task 62

Skip the sun, get a glow the healthy way

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

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

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

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

  1. takes a lot of time and effort to tan

  2. have been turning to tanning beds

  3. they are actually quite classy accessories

  4. better to avoid indoor tanning

  5. have inspired people to get their skin checked

  6. will eventually turn into a tan

  7. has taken the healthy out of healthy glow

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Task 63

Grant-making agency

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

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

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

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

  1. who is appointed by the president

  2. but of other countries of the world

  3. but in every aspect of social sciences

  4. who are also appointed by the president

  5. who have been living in the U.S. for three years

  6. as well as to individual scholars of the humanities

  7. as well as provide access to cultural and educational resources

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Task 64

The Bonfire Night

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. differences in traditions

  2. children and hope that they

  3. the day for fireworks lovers

  4. the explosion lights up the sky

  5. feels like the first time I’ve seen

  6. waits at home though: sparklers

  7. lit and the smell of smoke creeps

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Task 65

Earth-sheltered homes

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. are built on the ground

  2. are usually very organic

  3. is being built facing south

  4. being environmentally friendly

  5. building materials and lifestyle

  6. is that these homes are safe from fire

  7. can be difficult due to the construction

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Task 66

Australia

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. Australia is one of the most

  2. were born in other countries

  3. Australia also defines itself by

  4. many animal species that occur here

  5. may have travelled from Asia across

  6. thousands of new immigrants, and by

  7. were criminals sent to live in Australia

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Task 67

Living nature in Madeira

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

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

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

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

  1. which is felt all year round

  2. which take place in Madeira all year round

  3. where the largest laurel forest in the world

  4. admiring the coastline from a different perspective

  5. where one can find a unique range of flora and fauna

  6. choosing this holiday destination for its natural beauty

  7. that have prime conditions for boating and scuba diving

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Task 68

Wild animals in cities

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

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

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

  1. cause lots of problems

  2. in the city and take them back

  3. walk in the street and cause traffic

  4. hurt in car accidents and the sugar in

  5. strong animals and sometimes they scare

  6. have been many reports in newspapers and

  7. have told people to stop giving the pigs food and

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Task 69

Europe’s best hidden gems

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

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

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

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

  1. but showed evidence of an early human housing

  2. to Cinque Terre in Italy and Sintra in Portugal

  3. as to equal that of the famous Great Wall of China

  4. but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and

  5. who want to be lost in its majestic historical heritage

  6. combined with the beauty of a crystal clear sea

  7. who pioneered the Romantic spirit in the eighteenth century

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Task 70

Beautiful cities of Italy

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

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

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

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

  1. that is the largest in Venice

  2. which was built in the early I century

  3. that everyone is dreaming about this trip

  4. which is comparable with modern stadiums

  5. which are сonnected by more than 150 canals

  6. the venue for major international festivals

  7. that time it produced a lot of attractions

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Task 71

City of fountains

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

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

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

  1. and from the sea has been firmly ensured

  2. which is a former royal countryside residence

  3. who designs many royal residences in Europe

  4. and then rebuilt in the baroque style in the 18th century

  5. who wanted to decorate the main entrance with waterfalls

  6. that are located in the park on the coast of the Gulf of Finland

  7. and on the other hand, to become a monument of Russia’s struggle

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Task 72

Sights of Sochi

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

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

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

  1. and the views that open from it

  2. which is built on the top to give visitors

  3. when the subtropical resort is almost empty

  4. which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

  5. enjoying the sound of birds singing and waterfalls gurgling

  6. when the city is home to the annual film festival “Kinotavr”

  7. including high cliffs, exotic vegetation, breathtaking canyons

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Task 73

Saint Petersburg

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

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

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

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

  1. that is built on hundreds of islands

  2. or during the dazzling white nights in summer

  3. it was only founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great

  4. or considering a variety of the trip accommodation offers

  5. that reveal the mysterious and tragic genius of St. Petersburg

  6. of the most intriguing and historically significant cities in Europe

  7. including beautiful historic gardens and extensive leisure parks

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Task 74

State Hermitage Museum

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

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

  1. that they are particularly interested in

  2. that they have time to catch all the collection’s

  3. and new-comers can only hope to get a brief taste

  4. which brings pedestrians out on to Palace Square from

  5. that one would need eleven years to view each exhibit

  6. which was the official residence of the Russian emperors

  7. and the exhibition was often visited by military historians

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Task 75

Letniy Sad

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

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

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

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

  1. and restorers have done everything possible to keep

  2. combining the features of urban and suburban estates

  3. which are planned to be the centre of scientific research

  4. which contains interesting objects found by archaeologists

  5. but later many of them were either destroyed in the flood

  6. and enjoy the exhibitions and performances of a brass band

  7. and from the south and west – the Moika River and the Lebyazhiy Canal

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Источник

11. La Ciotat

Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur — France

For you, travel equals discovery of the unusual and you shy away from big overcrowded destinations, where shops, brands, restaurants, all look alike.  So, La Ciotat is made for you. Although not very widely known, this destination located a
few kilometers from Marseille, is everything we love in Provence: sun, relaxation,
crafts, idleness, pastis, markets, local produce, good restaurants, welcoming and bon viveur population and friendly accommodation.

Do not miss a visit to the Mugel Botanical Garden and its incredible selection of tropical plants. Want to refresh yourself? Stop at Petit Mugel beach, considered one of the most beautiful
beaches in La Ciotat.

Are you a cinephile? Then you know that it is the birthplace of cinema: indeed, one of the first films made by the Lumière Brothers, inventors of cinema, was shot in La Ciotat.  It was
called «Train arrival in La Ciotat». Spectators really believed that the train was hurtling towards them and would run away from the screening room. In fact, La Ciotat’s «Eden Theatre» is the
world’s oldest operating cinema.  

One last reason to visit La Ciotat? Did you know that pétanque, the most famous French sport, was invented in La Ciotat? You see, there are only good reasons to visit La Ciotat this year.

How to get there: Book your flights to Marseille (50 min by car) or Toulon (1h15).

Where to stay: «Appart’hôtel a deux pas de l’eau» for its top location.

Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden

For classic countries packed with travelers, sometimes finding a more serene or delightful locale can feel like a bit of a challenge. Trend piece writers and jet-setters alike are always in search of the next new thing, whether it be a chic Spanish seaside town or Sweden’s newest creative center. But with so much of Europe that hasn’t been written up time and time again–and so many visitors who’ve not yet had that chance to get off the beaten path of London and Paris to explore more–it’s still shockingly easy to find hidden gems and great unexpected destinations. Here are ten of the best, perfect for memorable romantic getaways that are delightfully away from the crowds.

Cinigiano, Italy

100 kilometers south of Florence, this small corner of Tuscan wine country has managed to its keep old-world charms while producing some of the most striking new-school Super Tuscan wines. Breathtaking views of endless fields and vineyards, even better at sunset, are around practically every corner. Yet somehow, the crush of crowds isn’t. Tour organic family-run vineyards like Cantina Basile or live royally while staying at the Castello di Vicarello. It’s all truly divine.

Cinigiano, Tuscany, Italy

Rila, Bulgaria

This mountain range might be no secret to European snow bunnies, thanks to its pristine powder and virgin slopes. But those from other countries are just starting to take notice, meaning a truly secluded skiing experience. For skilled athletes who want a new challenge, there’s no better off-piste skiing around. Explore Pirin National Park or enjoy the mountain chalet of Demianitza while not on the slopes. The national park is also a popular destination during summer, when its lakes and flower-covered mountains attract fishers and hikers from Sofia and beyond.

Rila, Bulgaria

Gothenburg, Sweden

Sweden’s second-largest city is also the one boasting the most universities, meaning inquisitive and creative young people dominating everything from the world-famous music scene to the raucous nightlife. With more degree-seeking students sticking around and starting clothing labels, art galleries, and party nights, Stockholm no longer has the market cornered on fun. Beautiful canals and a diverse mixture of striking architecture don’t hurt, either.

Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden

Roanne, France

Foodies will find eating their way across the French countryside is a breeze, no matter where they go. But those serious about top-notch gastronomy cannot miss Roanne, home of the Troisgros family and of Maison Troisgos, a restaurant that foodie bible Gault Millau referred to as the best in the entire world. Those who prefer to sharpen their own skills in the kitchen can attend The Ecole des Trois Ponts, a famous nearby cooking school. Take a stroll by the Loire river to walk off the calories, and enjoy some of the historical architecture.

Roanne, France

Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland

While famous nature, including waterfalls and geysers, can be found closer to Reykjavik, this is Iceland’s only national park to stretch all the way to the seashore. Perfect for outdoorsy travelers, countless trails allow for unforgettable views of glaciers and lava fields. The park’s focal point,  Snæfellsjökull, is a famous glacier-covered stratovolcano mentioned in the classic Jules Verne novel “A Journey to the Center of the Earth.” Nearby farms and fishing villages make a great place to retire in the evening, and the area plays a major role in some of the country’s most famous Viking sagas.

Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland

Utrecht, the Netherlands

A lovely day trip from Amsterdam, Utrecht isn’t entirely unknown, but is often forgotten in the rush to explore other Dutch sites. With an ancient city center, buzzing university campus, and delightful canals system, it’s a great city for bike rides and on-foot exploration. Architecture hounds will also appreciate the variety in styles represented in what is a relatively small area.

Utrecht, the Netherlands

Lappeenranta, Finland

Closer to Saint Petersburg than to Helsinki, Lappeenranta draws a fair share of visitors from nearby during the summer months. A short drive from Saimaa, the fourth largest lake in all of Europe, travelers come for boat cruises and sunbathing during the warmer months. But there are plenty of great ways to spend the day that don’t involve fishing or swimming. A bustling central market, ancient fortress, and plenty of museums and other cultural attractions mean there’s never a dull moment in this curious Scandinavian city. Winter brings low temperatures and plentiful skiing, snowmobiling, and sledding.

Lappeenranta, Finland

Cotas, Portugal

A couple years back, Portugal’s Duoro Valley was anointed the next Napa, and while the international market might not have reacted accordingly, wine lovers and fans of peaceful vistas overlooking rolling hills will fall in love once they visit. The small town of Cotas is predominantly known for Quinta da Romaneira, where old-world decor is preserved but cutting-edge fermenting tanks and materials are used to help local vines step up their game. It’s a perfect luxury retreat for travelers looking to be pampered somewhere other than the typical European haunts.

Cotas, Duoro Valley, Portugal

Abisko, Sweden

This secluded Lapland town might not immediately seem like a must-see spot, but that’s before travelers take into account its Arctic Circle location. Photographers, nature-lovers, and anyone who wants a mind-blowing experience should make the pilgrimage to Abisko National Park, one of the best spots in the world to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis (Northern Lights). Shimmering curtains of bright green and blue dance across the sky for hours during the winter months, and clear skies mean an even more stunning spectacle. For those who are serious about their viewing experience, booking an overnight with the Aurora Sky Station is a must.

Abisko, Sweden

Vulcano, Sicily

This tiny island in the Tyrrhenian Sea’s name is the origin for “volcano” in many languages, but it’s more than just a series of craters and cones. Literature and history buffs will recognize it as the private workshop and chimney for a few different gods, and one look at the topography will have travelers understanding why ancient Romans thought things were so otherworldly here. Striking black sand beaches, invigorating mud baths and hot springs, and less than 500 year-round residents are just a few reasons to make the hydrofoil trip from nearby Lipari.

Vulcano, Sicily

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18 Feb,2019 By Jagabond

Every travel blogger has their hidden gems. These locations might be off the tourist radar, lost within a country that already has more famous cities, or lacking in easy public transport options. Whatever the reason, these hidden gems should be considered together with more popular options. Explore and discover these 16 European destinations.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Explore and Discover these Hidden Gems

Annecy, France

Annecy is defined by its incredible lake and the majestic mountain views surrounding it. The market in the center of town along the canals is one of the best I’ve ever seen. For regional cuisine try tartiflette, an amazingly tasty yet unhealthy dish loaded with cheese, potatoes and bacon. Take a boat tour on the lake for the best picture opportunities.

hidden gems of europe - annecy, france

Laguardia, Spain

The Rioja region of Spain produces some of the best wine in Europe, and Laguardia is the can’t miss attraction. This walled city exudes medieval magic. I’ll always remember walking the quiet stone streets at night, drinking at one of Europe’s oldest wineries, and admiring views of the surrounding vineyards.

hidden gems of europe - laguardia, spain

Ghent, Belgium

Ghent is often overshadowed by the more touristy Bruges. It has canals with amazing pubs and restaurants lining the water, an overall personality that makes you feel young again, and one of the most picturesque views in Europe when standing on St. Michael’s bridge. Visit Ghent in July for their annual festival.

hidden gems of europe - ghent, belgium

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia is my favorite country in Europe. Their capital has a quaint, underrated downtown area and a number of quirks. The local hero is a poet, the symbol of the city is a dragon, and there is a unique triple bridge that highlights the main square. You won’t find crazy nightlife or wild clubs, but you will meet lots of friendly people.

hidden gems of europe - ljubljana, slovenia

Madalena, Azores

The Azores off the coast of Portugal are becoming famous among fans of eco-tourism. Each one of the nine islands has their own personality, and for Madalena on Pico Island it’s wine. The vineyards are set on volcanic soil, giving the wines a unique flavor. Drive around the island to find multiple sites for swimming and snorkeling.

hidden gems of europe - madalena, azores

Nimes, France

When touring Southern France don’t miss this. Nimes is often called the ‘French Rome’ due to all the well preserved remnants of the Roman empire. Travel back to gladiator times at the arena, take a leisurely stroll through the stunningly beautiful Jardins de la Fontaine, and do a day trip to admire the Pont du Gard.

hidden gems of europe - nimes, france

Bosa, Sardinia

This might be the most undiscovered place on my list. Most tourists in the northern part of Sardinia stay in the Catalan city of Alghero, but I recommend a quick overnight in this colorful fishing village. Enjoy the quietness of Bosa while you dine outside on fresh seafood and a bottle of Vermentino.

Europe best hidden gems ответы егэ

Monterosso, Italy

Rick Steves helped make the Cinque Terre hike famous. The most amazing stretch of trail is the one connecting Monterosso to Vernazza, with incredible views of the Italian Riviera. Of the five linked villages, Monterosso has the best selection of lodging, nightlife and restaurant options.

hidden gems of europe - monterosso, italy

St. Julian’s, Malta

Malta is a small country with much diversity. Beach lovers will adore the bright blue water, sociologists will admire the mix of cultures, and historians will marvel at both the recent and ancient history. St. Julian’s has most of the nightlife and acts as a great base for public transport.

hidden gems of europe - st. julian's, malta

Thessaloniki, Greece

The home of Alexander the Great is proof that there’s more to Greece than island life and the Parthenon. Walking along the water you can visit the White Tower, offering great views of the city, and the impressive statue of Alexander. Lovers of ancient history should check out the religious mosaics at the Church of Ayios Dimitrios.

hidden gems of europe - thessaloniki, greece

Graz, Austria

Overshadowed by Vienna, my favorite city in Europe, Graz hides in the shadows but is secretly amazing. Walk up to the Schlossberg for a day of leisure, beautiful views of the city and a great lion monument. Stop by for a coffee at the Murinsel, a novel bridge over the Mur river that resembles a metal island.

Europe best hidden gems ответы егэ

Piran, Slovenia

The Slovenian coast isn’t long, but it is beautiful. Piran is the crowning jewel, and starts the Istrian Peninsula that carries over into Croatia. This coastal town has added meaning for me, as this is where I fell in love. The region is known for truffles, wine and beautiful sunsets. Take your lover here for a romantic escape.

hidden gems of europe - piran, slovenia

Maastricht, Netherlands

Yes, Netherlands offers more than just Amsterdam. Maastricht was a gem I discovered while living in Belgium. What do I love about it? The streets are impeccably clean, the pubs are incredible, and you have great views over the Meuse River. The nearby university ensures the city always remains young, progressive and vibrant.

hidden gems of europe - maastricht, netherlands

Bolzano, Italy

I previously wrote about Bolzano and their amazing Christmas market. This is also a great launching point for nature excursions to the nearby Dolomites. My most unique experience here was the archaeology museum focused on Otzi, a 5,000 year old mummy. You can learn his scientifically determined history, and see the iceman himself.

hidden gems of europe - bolzano, italy

Lille, France

Northern France is scattered with industrial towns, but Lille is the clear jewel. The downtown area offers great cafes and shopping opportunities, and a free zoo which is surprisingly good. Book a trip in early September to see the annual Braderie de Lille, Europe’s largest flea market.

hidden gems of europe - lille, france

Zadar, Croatia

This is a city waiting to be discovered. The vibe here is a far cry from Dubrovnik, and is more driven by locals than tourists. Climb the belfry tower for great views, listen to the sea organ’s unique sound, and watch the jazzy lights of the solar circle. Zadar is also a great base for visiting Plitvice National Park to see some amazing waterfalls.

hidden gems of europe - zadar, croatia

Other European Travel Lists

Here are some other articles I’ve written to help plan your next Europe trip.

My 10 Favorite Cities In Europe (for now)

Underrated Destinations In Europe (11 Places To Discover)

8 Worst Places In Europe For Solo Travel

12 Charming Small Towns In Europe You Must Visit

11 Cities In Europe You Can Skip

7 Cheap Cities In Europe For Budget Travel

Which Is The Best SMALL Country In Europe To Visit?

Have you ever asked yourself where are those hidden gems in Europe, which aren’t frequently promoted in tourist guidebooks? What about the amazing and yet to be discovered islands and the little enchanting villages? When we are thinking about our next holiday, we should leave behind our limited thinking and we will discover new destinations. Let us see some new tips regarding our upcoming vacation with some stunning ideas.

1. Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio, Italy
Our first destination is in Italy, but this time not Rome or Firenze, but a little town in Lazio, about 90 km from Rome. It is definetly not famous for its easy accesibility, but for its historical and geographical characteristics, but it will surely capture your heart. We can trace its existence back in the etruscan period and every tourist is dazzled by its long standing strain. A great marina, where you could leave your boat, is the Cala Galera, in Tuscany.

Civita di Bagnoregio - Lazio, Italy

Civita di Bagnoregio – Lazio, Italy

2. Samos-Kokkari, Greece
Our next stop is in Greece, the country with some of the most fascinating beaches and resorts from which stands out Kokkari beach, situated on the northen coast of Samos Island. This little village captivates the tourists with its lovely beach and nice environement very suitable for a relaxing holiday. It offers several restaurants, hotels and even the possibilty for an interesting hike to explore the nature nearby. Samos Marina is a great choice for your boat.

Kokkari Beach - Samos, Greece

Kokkari Beach – Samos, Greece

3. Preko, Croatia
If we are talking about beautiful islands, we have to mention the magical Ugljan Island and its biggest and busiest village, Preko, in Croatia. In this amazing spot we can definitely identify the Dalmatian architecture`s aspects, along with the rough stone houses and the villas of the nobilities. It is very close to Zadar but, actually from Preko, it is easy to get at any other neighbouring towns and villages. There is a little island, named Galevac, opposite to Preko, which has interesting greenery. The closest port where you can moor is the Dalmacija Marina, in Zadar.

Ugljan - Preko, Croatia | MarinaReservation.com

Ugljan – Preko, Croatia

4. Positano, Italy
Among Italy`s loveliest landscapes we have to mention the Amalfi Coast and take a look at Positano village. This amazing location seduces tourist coming from all over the world, very interestingly situated on the side of a mountain, just like a bird nest. Positano is a magical village, the crystal clear water blends with the blue sky and the colorful houses together with the steep streets create a wonderful scenery. Both Porto di Amalfi – Coppola Marina Dock, in Campania, can offer great possibilities for those who go there by a boat.

Positano Italy - Berth Booking with MarinaReservation.com

Positano – Italy

5. Menton, France
The French Riviera is one of the most fascinating places in Europe, so we have to mention Menton, the town which shares great cultural and historical values. It is situated very close to the frontier between France and Italy, on the Ligurian Coast. The pretty old town, the beautiful gardens and the peaceful environment guarantees a great holiday. Like almost every other town on French Riviera, Menton provides as well a great port for the tourists, a local one, Port de Menton – Port de Garavan.

Medieval town of Menton - French Riviera, France

Medieval town of Menton – French Riviera, France

6. Tellaro, Italy
Back in Italy, we are heading to Tellaro, an ancient, romantic village, situated in Liguria, near to Toscana. Tellaro is a truly hidden gem, a lovely little village with colorful houses and fishing boats, in the Golf of Poets. It has an attractive beach and a lookout tower from where tourists can enjoy amazing views, but we can also take long walks through the village. The nearest marina is Porto Lotti, which guarantees the safety of your boat.

Book a berth in Liguria, Italy

Tellaro – Liguria, Italy

7. Cavtat, Croatia
Another well-known tourist destination in Croatia is Cavtat, near Dubrovnik, on the Adrian Coast. This little fishing village has a beautiful church, a nice walkway, where you can also have a look at the house belonging to Blaise Bukovac, the greatest Croat painter. It can be very attractive for those who like sailing because they have the possibility to moor their yachts in the local port, enjoy great meals or spend the night in the local hotels.

Book a berth in Cavtat, Croatia | MarinaReservation.com

Cavtat, Croatia

8. Alberobello, Italy
Our next Italian town has a very interesting distinctiveness: the typical stone dwellings of Apulia, called the Trulli roofs. This little village is renowned for these stone roofs, which were made without any other material. An amazing spot in this location is Zona dei Trulli that has more than 1500 houses with this type of roofs. It is also famous for its unique gastronomy. If you need a great marina to moor your boat, we recommend Cala Ponte Marina, in Apulia.

Book a berth in Apulia, Italy

The typical stone dwellings of Apulia, called the Trulli roofs

9. Piran, Slovenia
The next stop is in Piran, Slovenia, a lovely, pleasant port-town situated on the Adriatic Coast. It is definitely the best choice for a beach holiday in Slovenia. The streets are a bit narrow but you can walk along the old buildings and take a look at the old town. It has a very nice beach and we recommend trying out their local foods as well. Portoroz Marina is the closest port, where you could leave your yacht safely.

Book a berth in Piran, Croatia | MarinaReservation.com

Piran, Croatia

10. Portofino, Italy
Another Ligurian treasure in Italy is Portofino. This little village is very frequented, especially during the summer, and tourists can enjoy the nice weather and take advantage of the local facilities. If the sun shines in Portofino, the port fills up with yachts and visitors often choose to hike, give scuba-diving a try or just simply enjoy the sun on the beach. The local port is called Marina di Portofino, which can be a great choice for mooring.

Book a berth in Liguria, Italy | MarinaReservation.com

Portofino – Ligurian coast, Italy

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Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы

Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы

Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы

Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы

Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы
Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы

Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы
Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы
Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы
Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы
Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы
Europe's best hidden gems егэ ответы

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    Europe’s best hidden gems егэ ответы

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    Best-hidden-gems-in-europe-2019

    Discover the hidden treasures of Europe

    Europe’s best hidden gems

    Part 4/8

    You love travelling in Europe and want to get off the beaten track? Discover a unique selection of secret destinations; real treasures are hidden in every corner of Europe.

    From Freudenberg in Germany to Agias Nikolaos in Greece and Malcesine in Italy,
    discover a selection of the finest unknown destinations
    in Europe     and     book your hotel, apartment, B&B, villa at the best price
    guaranteed     and your best activities in Europe
    for a perfect holiday in the most beautiful secret destinations in Europe.

    Setenil de las Bodegas - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright elRoce / Shutterstock.com
    elRoce / Shutterstock.com

    Setenil de las Bodegas

    Andalusia — Spain

    Andalusia is one of the most beautiful regions of Spain. Seville, Malaga, Cordoba, Cadiz are perfect for a gastronomic, cultural  or relaxing city break or an
    afternoon on the beautiful beaches of Nerja or for a visit to  the «Spanish Wild West», the Tabernas desert in Almeria (ranked among the best film locations in Europe). But Andalusia is also full of beauties and hidden treasures for those who  love venturing off the beaten path. 

    This little village of white houses is amazing: many astute people decided to build their houses under a huge rock  to avoid paying for new roofs which cost an arm and a leg. Nearly 3000
    inhabitants live in this picturesque and very surprising village. The village of Setenil de las Bodegas is worth a visit and is only 20 kilometres from Ronda, another hidden gem of this beautiful
    province.

    Book your flights to Malaga or Jerez (1H30 by car), your accommodation at the best price, your best tours and activities in
    Andalusia  such as a «Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas tour».

    If you want to stay in the heart of this village, book at «Casa entre rocas» with a view to the huge rock.

    Malcesine - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright Yasonya - European Best Destinations
    Yasonya

    Located in the very romantic province of Verona, Malcesine is a small town (3500 inhabitants). Lake Garda attracts travellers from around the world but also celebrities like Georges
    Clooney    . It is an important agricultural region that produces delicious and pure olive oils.

    Book your stay at the best price in Malcesine and your best activities in Veneto.

    The nearest airport is Villafranca-Verona Airport, ( 90 minutes drive from Malcesine).

    Cochem - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright leoks - European Best Destinations
    ©leoks

    Cochem

    Rhineland-Palatinate — Germany

    Cochem is located in the German side of the Moselle; it is
    a perfect destination for travellers looking for authenticity.

    Cochem is famous for its River, vineyards, beautiful scenery, medieval town centre, half-timbered houses, romantic alleyways and 1000-year-old castle. 

    Book your accommodation at the best price guaranteed in Cochem; we recommend
    the «Hotel Germania» with great views of Cochem Castle, Herbert, The General
    Manager, and his teams will be very caring for you!

    Agios Nikolaos - Day- Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright Vladimir Sazonov
    Vladimir Sazonov

    Agios Nikolaos

    Crete — Greece

    Come discover Mirabello bay and its beautiful port. Welcome to one of Crete‘s hidden gems, welcome to Agios Nikolaos! Dive into the turquoise blue waters of Agios Nikolaos, spend
    beautiful evenings in its restaurants and bars, go shopping, enjoy the beach, walk around or go by boat.

    Book your stay at the best price guaranteed in Agios Nikolaos today and your best tours and activities in
    Crete for a perfect holiday.

    Want to rest in nature? We recommend the Minos Beach Art Hotel.

    Soller - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright Vulcano - European Best Destinations
    ©Vulcano

    Soller is the most beautiful village on the island of Mallorca. Surrounded by mountains, it is quiet, relaxing and perfect for a family holiday. Although the location is isolated, Soller is well
    connected to Palma de Mallorca, (30 minutes from  the airport ) by many lines of trams and buses.

    If you like nature, hiking, gastronomy, Soller is for you.

    Book your accommodation today at the best price and your best activities in Mallorca. We 
    recommend the Can Roses hotel; it is a paradise on earth and just 5 minutes walk from the
    centre.

    Peniscola - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright karnavalfoto
    karnavalfoto

    Peniscola

    Castellón — Spain

    Not surprisingly, Peniscola is one of your best hidden gems in Europe because this destination is also one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
    Peniscola  is three hours drive from Barcelona.

    Discover the castle of Pope Luna, the ancient fortifications of Pensicola, its nature reserve and enjoy the Mediterranean climate with very mild temperatures in winter and more than 300 days of
    sunshine a year.

    Book your accommodation today at the best price guaranteed in Peniscola
    and your best activities in
    Spain.

    We particularly recommend the «Hotel RH Portocristo» with superb views of the sea and the castle of
    Peniscola.

    Odeixe - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright ah_fotobox European Best destinations
    ah_fotobox

    Odeceixe

    Algarve — Portugal

    The parish of Odeceixe is situated on the steeply inclined topography that divides the Algarve and Alentejo regions; the south bank of the Ribeira de Seixe which runs through this parish is the
    dividing line for this frontier.

    The parish includes Praia do Odeceixe at the mouth of the Ribera de Seixe. This has one of the few official naturist beaches in Portugal! (copyright CC)

    Lauterbrunnen valley - Best hidden gems in Europe - copyright Creative Travel Projects - European Best Destinations
    ©Creative Travel Projects

    Lauterbrunnen

    Bern — Switzerland

    Discover more than 70 waterfalls in one of Switzerland’s most impressive alpine valleys, the Lauterbrunnen Valley. This large nature reserve is a paradise for lovers of unspoiled nature,
    authentic villages, small charming hotels.

    Put on your walking shoes and set off to discover Staubbach waterfall, the highest waterfall in Europe. If you like wintersports, visit the Lauterbrunnen valley in winter. If you
    like hiking in nature, book your stay in summer.

    Do you want a hotel with waterfall view room? Book your stay at the «Valley Hostel» or check our accommodation offer
    at the best price guaranteed in the Lauterbrunnen valley.

    Michael's Mount - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright Photography Cornwall - European Best Destinations
    Photography Cornwall

    St Michael’s Mount

    Marazion — Cornwall — UK

    It looks very much like « le Mont Saint-Michel » in Normandy, France; it even bares its name and it is just as beautiful. The Mount
    is on a wonderful island located in the famous Cornish region of southwestern Britain.

    The legend dating from the 5th century says that fishermen from the village are supposed to have seen archangel Michael sitting on a rock; he had just swum out of the sea. From that time the
    place became a place of pilgrimage and a monastery was built there 500 years later.

    Polignano - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright Mi.Ti - European Best Destinations
    ©Mi.Ti

    Polignano a mare

    Bari  — Italy

    Located in southern Italy, in the Apulia region, Polignano a Mare is famous all over the world for its houses perched on top of limestone cliffs but also for the beauty of the blue waters of the
    sea that faces this very beautiful destination.

    Buy your flight tickets for Bari and discover Polignano a Mare, located only 50 kilometres from Bari. You can stay in Bari in one of the best hotels at the best price and in Polignano a Mare which offers more than 120 hotels.

    Amalfi - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright Canadastock - European Best Destinations
    ©Canadastock

    Positano on the Amalfi Coast, near Naples is the famous beautiful village you  classified as the best destination for a honeymoon in Europe. The villages of Praiano and Amalfi are also rare beauty destinations.

    Amalfi has been classified as World Heritage by Unesco since 1997. Stroll through its medieval streets and book your best activities today such as «a full day private boat cruise» and your hotel at the best price. We
    advise you to stay at the «Marina Riviera» hotel located 1 minute walk from the beach. 

    Nonza - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright l i g h t p o e t - European Best Destinations
    ©l i g h t p o e t

    Located north of Corsica, 50 minutes drive from Bastia airport, Nonza is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France.

    Formerly famous for its olive oil, wine and goat cheese, the island now enjoys tourism in summer and has maintained a production of high quality olive oil. We advise you to book your
    accommodation at the best price guaranteed in Bastia and make a day trip to Nonza.

    San Andres near Santa Cruz - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright Olena Tur - European Best Destinations
    Olena Tur

    San Andres

    Santa Cruz — Tenerife — Spain

    San Andres is a charming village just a few kilometres from Santa Cruz of Tenerife on the Canary Islands. San Andres is not just charming,
    it is also the oldest village on Tenerife island.

    If you are not an architecture or history enthusiast, San Andres is also the good place for you : the village faces Las Teresitas beach, the most beautiful golden sandy beach in
    Tenerife; it is perfect for relaxing after a visit in the village of San Andres.

    Book your flight tickets and accommodation at the best price guaranteed in Tenerife today for a
    dream holiday on the Spanish islands.

    Freudenberg - Best hidden gems in Europe - Copyright DanKe - European Best Destinations
    DanKe

    Freudenberg

    North Rhine-Westphalia — Germany

    Freudenberg is one of your best European hidden gems; it is an authentic and traditional village. Come admire the half-timbered houses that all look alike. We recommend a visit
    in autumn or winter; it is even more magical.

    Book your accommodation today at the best price guaranteed in Cologne, (an hour’ s drive  from Freudenberg) and enjoy a
    good meal on the spot. We particularly recommend the «Hotel zur Altstadt» in the heart of the village.

    Have a romantic and unforgettable holiday in one of Europe’s best hidden gems.

    best-hidden-gems-in-Europe

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    Источник

    Discover the 15 best and most amazing hidden gems in Europe to add to your travel itineraries.

    Europe is one of the best places to travel to in the world. There is so much diversity with all the different countries and cultures that you can easily spend years exploring and not even experience it all. However, many people end up going to all the most popular and touristy destinations and miss out on all the amazing hidden gems in Europe! For your next European getaway get off the beaten path and explore something new!

    Discover the 15 best-hidden gems in Europe to explore!

    (Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information)

    Gdansk, Poland

    Gdansk is a beautiful city in Poland that lines the Baltic Sea. Many people head to Warsaw or Krakow when they are thinking about visiting Poland, but Gdansk is the perfect hidden gem that you should not miss. With fewer tourists, stunning architecture and amazing food, Gdansk is everything you need for the ultimate off-the-beaten-track getaway.

    There are plenty of amazing things to do in Gdansk from admiring the unique buildings and quirky architecture, to exploring the magical old town, to soaking in the deep (and sometimes dark) history, and more. It is one of the best hidden gems in Europe that is cheap, not crowded with tourists, and offers a very unique travel experience.

    Vipava Valley, Slovenia

    Vipava Valley, Slovenia is one of Europes most magical hidden gem culinary treasures. It is located between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea and offers idyllic views and natural scenery that is stunning all year round. The unique combination of natural beauty and amazing things to do make Vipava Valley one of the best hidden gems in Europe.

    Beautiful spring evening countryside landscape in Vipava valley, Slovenia. Vineyards and mountains

    A visit to Vipava Valley is not complete without visiting one of the wineries! Winemaking has been a small part of Slovenia for centuries and as the wine-growing region, it is the perfect place to delve into this part of the country. The best way to explore Vipava Valley is by car or bike so you can roam around and enjoy all the magic.

    Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

    Český Krumlov is a small town in The Czech Republic that looks and feels much similar to Prague, but better! The medieval town looks like something from a fairytale with its beautifully preserved sites and a magical old town. Český Krumlov is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with tons of wonderfully historic and magical things to see and do.

    One of the highlights of Český Krumlov is the castle which sits atop a hill in the city. More so, there is beautiful architecture, charming cobblestone streets and more! It is quite small as well, so you can walk and explore the entire town in about 30 minutes. This is one of the best-hidden gems in Europe that is a great substitute for Prague.

    Volosko, Croatia

    Idyllic mediterranean waterfront in Volosko village, Opatija riviera, Kvarner, Croatia

    Volosko is a small charming fishing village in Croatia and the perfect European hidden gem. Croatia has been gaining more and more popularity as a travel destination each year, which means all the most popular cities and towns become quite full with tourists during most months of the year. Therefore, heading to Volosko to enjoy one of the best hidden gems in Europe is a must.

    Gorges du Verdon, France

    Gorges du Verdon is one of the most unique and interesting hidden gems in Europe and one of France’s best-kept secrets. Verdon Gorge is a beautiful aqua blue-hued river canyon located in the South of France that is a summer hotspot for locals and tourists alike. It is also a great place for swimming and enjoying the warm South of France sun without venturing to Cannes or Monaco!

    Gozo, Malta

    Beautiful view on Gozo island from a boat, postcard style, beautiful colors landscape

    Gozo is one of the lesser-known travel destinations in Malta that is much like how Malta used to be before the tourism takeover. It is a stunning little island that offers a slower pace and more authentic travel experience. This is one of the best hidden gems in Europe that is off the beaten track and something special. If you are looking for a relaxing cultural getaway then Gozo is the place to be.

    Portmeirion, Wales

    Colorful Italian Style Buildings and Gardens of Portmeirion, North Wales

    Portmeirion is a small and very unique tourist village in Wales. It is known for its unique quirky architecture, amazing things to do, and lush gardens. Although this village is located in Wales it feels more like a stunning Italian village than anything else. Here you will find elaborate piazza and rainbow buildings in pastel colours and it is one of the most unique and amazing hidden gems in Europe.

    Marken, Netherlands

    Lighthouse on an island surrounded by flying birds

    Marken is a small village in the Netherlands located just an hour from Amsterdam. It is a stunning coastal village with an authentic fisherman’s vibe making it the perfect Dutch getaway. It is full of colourful timber houses, authentic sailboats and a very famous lighthouse. Marken is an idyllic place to visit that offers some very unique Dutch sights and attractions. It is one of the best hidden gems in Europe by far.

    Gjogv, Faroe Islands

    Light coloured houses in Faroe Islands
    White house with blue roof

    Gjogv is a small village located on the tip of the Faroe Islands and one of Europes best hidden gems. It is made up of old timber-walled and turf-roofed cottages and the village has only 50 residents! This is a very different and unique place to visit in Europe that has its own very special charm and magic. The Faroe Islands themself are an off-the-beaten-track place to visit in themselves so heading here will show you an abundance of unique findings and experiences.

    Herceg Novi, Montenegro

    Montenegro is one of Europes hidden gem countries that is often ignored by nearby countries like Croatia and Italy. However, Montenegro has an unmatched coastal charm and magic and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe. One of the best hidden gems in Montenegro is the small town of Herceg Novi.

    Old town in Herceg Novi

    Herceg Novi is located just 30 minutes from the Croatian border and at the top of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor. It is one of the least touristy cities in Montenegro and one of the best hidden gems in Europe. You can explore the streets and sites without them being packed with people, which makes exploring much more authentic and enjoyable!

    San Sebastian, Spain

    San Sebastian is Spain’s best kept secret and one of the best hidden gems in Europe. It is located in Basques Country and is known for its lush green hills, blue water beaches, and charming town. The magical coastal charm paired with the amazing Michelin-star restaurants only adds to its magic. In fact, San Sebastian is a foodies heaven with tons of amazing restaurants, bars and cafes all with very unique foods and culinary experiences.

    Bluewater beach and city in San Sebastian

    Morschach, Switzerland

    Mountains and blue water lake

    Morschach is one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland and one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Europe. It is located in the center of Switzerland amongst various other stunning villages and towns in Switzerland and is a place of tons of history! If you want to see and experiences some of the most amazing birds-eye views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne then a visit to Morschach is just for you. It is also a great place for hiking and outdoor adventures.

    Ksamil, Albania

    Aerial view of blue water and beaches

    Ksamil is a hidden gem in Albania and one of the best hidden gems in Europe. It is a stunning village with white sand beaches and vibrantly blue water beaches. Just a short distance from Ksamil is Corfu, Greece making it the perfect alternative to a touristy travel destination just a short distance away. If you are seeking paradise-like beaches and a lovely Mediterranean climate year-round, then Ksamil is for you.

    Monemvasia, Greece

    Water and small stone building

    Monemvasia is a stunning castle town in Greece that is definitely off the beaten track. Greece is one of the most popular summer travel destinations in summer and many people flock to places like Santorini, Corfu and more. There are plenty of stunning places to visit in Greece but Monemvasia is every bit as beautiful with a quarter of the tourists.

    Pirin National Park, Bulgaria

    Hiking to Koncheto, view across the peaks of the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria with Vihren, Kutelo,Todorka,Banski Suhodol , National Park Pirin with company of wild goats

    Pirin National Park is located in the Pirin Mountains in the Southwest of Bulgaria. It is a stunning naturally beautiful getaway with its limestone mountains, caves, waterfalls, and endless forests. Travelling to Pirin National Park is the perfect place for hiking and enjoying the vast outdoors and nature in Europe. This is one of the best hidden gems in Europe that is vastly underrated.

    Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

    Street with old houses

    Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber is a fairytale-like town located in Germany. It is full of medieval architecture and cobblestone streets that date back to the 10th century and is one of the best hidden gems in Europe. There is plenty to do in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber like exploring the old town, and walking along the water if the city center is too much. This is easily one of the most beautiful places in Germany that is not as busy as many other cities and towns.

    Lofoten Islands, Norway

    The Lofoten Islands are a set of islands in Norway that are known for their dramatic landscapes and exciting things to do. Here you will find idyllic fishing villages, hiking, kayaking, fishing, cycling and more. Plus it is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights! It is a very young and adventurous place to visit that offers a ton of excitement year-round.

    Douro Valley, Portugal

    Hill covered with grape trees

    Douro Valley is an enchanting wine region in Portugal and one of the best hidden gems in Europe. The landscapes in the Douro Valley are beyond stunning and paired with the various wineries, it becomes a top place to visit and explore. Douro Valley is also a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the best places to visit for wine lovers and those looking to admire the magical Portuguese countryside.

    Europe is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. As tourism increases year after year finding places to escape to with fewer people is more and more appealing.

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    Источник

    Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    There are many gems in Europe, some unheard of, while others overlooked when scrounging for the next outing from one’s country. This list offers a one-of-a kind collection that will not cost more than visiting Paris, but give bragging rights of likely being somewhere only few have been.

    Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany

    Bamberg, Germany

    Amazing panoramic view of historic city center of Bamberg, Germany. 

    A forty-minute car or train trip from Nuremberg will take one to this charming town, chosen democratically by the citizens as the town best suited for life in Germany, which joined Bavaria in 1802. With a large market for gardening and brewing today, Bamberg was untouched by the attacks of the Second World War, lacking prominent industry, saving the beautiful medieval churches and baroque architecture, sitting on the seven hills, from the bombings. Among the Baroque patricians’ sits the St. Michael’s Church (declared sacred in 1015), the St. Jacob’s Church from the XII century, the St. Martin’s (1685–93), the rebuilt old town hall of 1453, and the Altenburg, the chapel of an ancient fortress. It is no surprise that the town’s symphony orchestra is of international reputation, with the poet and composer E.T.A. Hoffmann having lived in the house opposite of the Civic Theatre.

    In this UNESCO World Heritage site, designated for being the centre of the 18th century Enlightenment in southern Germany, one can stroll on the grounds of the Benedectine Abbey; it was also here that, in 1459 the first book got printed in Germany. Sitting on the canalized Regnitz River joining with the Main River above Nuremberg, the rich history includes a story of a royal family, the Babenbergs, first mentioned in 902 living in their ancestral castle. One of the most notable sites is the imperial cathedral, which served its purpose from 1004 to 1237, with Veit Stoss-carved wooden altar, important statues, as well as the tombs of Henry II, his wife, Cunegund, and Pope Clement the Second.

    Ilha das Flores, The Azores, Portugal

    Flores Island

    Caldeira Funda lake in the Reserva Florestal Natural do Morro Alto e Pico in the Flores Island.

    Part of the Santa Cruz group together with the Ilha do Corvo, the Flores Island offers the natural pools of Santa Cruz, the Faja Grande and Lajes das Flores beaches, as well as the Poco de Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande waterfalls to swim in the feet for optimal water fun and relaxation. Sitting in the very western Portuguese Azores archipelago, it is a 55 sq. mi (142 sq. km) volcanic island, while its centrally-located Morro Grande mount is the highest peak at 3,087 feet (941 m. It likely gets its name for the lushly-vegetated crater lakes, which are ample with fish. The economy of Flores Island is reliant upon its cattle for the dairy industry.

    With two autonomous regions in Portugal, Madeira and The Azores Island, the latter, is a nine-island archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, 1,360 km west of the mainland. It is described in the Forbes magazine as the «perfect destination to reconnect with nature», as well as granted a European Destination of Excellence reward, for offering unforgettable travel opportunities, respectful of the environment. Sure enough, hiking, flora and fauna sightseeing and marine life-watching, together with local products tasting, including the juicy fruits grown in Portugal, comprises a time of a life. Also being the most northerly-one, the Island of Flores is perfect for solitude within a natural environment, being less visited for its relative remoteness.

    Kazbek, Georgia

    Kazbek Georgia

    Holy Trinity Church near the village of Gergeti in Georgia, below Mount Kazbek.

    Located in the eastern range of the Central Caucasus at the Russia-Georgia border, and known as Mount Mqinvartsveri by the locals, Mount Kazbek is one of Georgia’s highest peaks. Sitting in the north at 16,512 feet (5,033 metres), just as Elbrus, it used to be an active volcano, of double conical shape and formed of 1,000 feet (300 metres) thick lava flows, while its lower elevations are alpine meadows. At 3,800 m there is a cave in the upper part of an 80 m rock, with an ancient monastery Betlemi (Bethlehem) accessed by monks with a long iron chain at its time. It was mentioned in the poems of the celebrated Russian authors Aleksandr Pushkin and Mikhail Lermontov’s «Hero of our Time”. Featuring distinctive remains of an ancient gigantic crater on its south facade, Kazbek is one the world’s most appreciated mountains offering spectacular views upon ascent, frequented more commonly than other peaks in the Caucasus, while its icefields also give rise to the headstreams of the Terek River.

    There is a convenient access from Tbilisi or from the check point with Russia (Verkhniy Lars), or one can catch a taxi from Vladikavkaz to Kazbegi village (150km). The village is 1.5-2 away from the old monastery near the foot, Saint Trinity Sameba, built in XIV century, to easily access the The Bethlemi Hut at the foot, a former meteostation now serving as a gas stop and a convenience shop. With the mostly glacier hike and only 100 m of easy ice climbing at less than 40 degrees, at the couloir below the summit, the only challenge is the amount of ground one must cover, making the trek up and down likely to last for days. The climb itself is relatively simple.

    Leiden, Netherlands

    Leiden Netherlands

    View of Koornbrug bridge in Leiden, Netherlands. Editorial credit: trabantos / Shutterstock.com

    Rembrandt’s birthplace and the university where Einstein taught, Leiden consists of many canals and waterways, inclusive with canal side cafés for a mid-day pick-me-up, beer or wine, with Vlot Grand cafe sitting right on the water. Wandering the historic streets with a modern twist over the intricate bridges among the notable 17th century architecture is the best way to soak up the Dutch vibe, complete with the windmills. Already being the heart of tulip country featuring the Keukenhof gardens, offering the city views from the Molen De Valk museum mansard, being the setting of Pilgrims raising money to commence their Mayflower journey to the New World, but it is also the birthplace of famous Rembrandt, Jan van Goyen, Metsu, and Dou, making it the centre of the Dutch artistic Renaissance.

    Lying at the confluence of the Oude Rijn and Nieuwe Rijn (Old Rhine and New Rhine) rivers, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of The Hague and 5 miles (8 km) inland from the North Sea, Leiden was first mentioned in 922 and grew around the 12th-century castle, Burcht. In the 14th century, the influx of weavers from Ypres gave start to the city’s textile industry, while, in 1581, the Elzevir family from Leuven established their press. The Spanish siege from May to October 1574, was relieved by cutting dikes and flooding the countryside for the Dutch ships to deliver provisions to the citizens, for the bravery of which the University of Leiden was founded in 1575 by William I (the Silent), prince of Orange, with renowned Dutch Reformed theology, science and medicine in the 17th and 18th centuries, scholars, and affiliated institutions. 

    Menenham Village, Kerlouan — Brittany, France

    Menenham village

    The picturesque village of Menenham in France.

    This is a coastal hamlet sitting in the state of Finistere, on the Brittany peninsula in France built to monitor the coast, and disguised between two rocks with many boulders dramatically littering the Kerlouan seaside. Recently renovated, it displays how life was for sailors in the 18th century. Nevertheless people flee to the location for the beauty of the region including the remote setting of lush landscapes bordered by turquoise waters of the mer d’iroise, juxtaposed with the wild side of the Brittany coast. East and west of the location are rock-strewn beaches, suitable for a dip and a comfortable company picnic.

    The stone-roofed house was built in the17th-century as a coastguard’s cottage to spy on the sea, during the war period between England and France. Although built for farmers, the village, built afterwards, was neglected until recently. The picturesque houses within sandy grasslands, is where people can view films of the past, taste delicacies and try their hand in local craft. Still, the most popular activity is climbing the boulders to sense the vastness of the sea in front, with just Ile Vierge lighthouse visible far away on a clear day. There is also the rocky Chapelle Pol («chapel») between Meneham and Brignogan, the Menhir Men Marz, a monumental Neolithic structure, and the Pontusval lighthouse surrounded by forbidden rocks.

    Monet’s Garden, France

    Tourists visit Claude Monet's home and gardens in the town of Giverny in France.

    Tourists visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens in the town of Giverny in France. Editorial credit: Edward Haylan / Shutterstock.com

    The Giverny Gardens, a place of magnificent landscape and sublimit where Claude Monet resided upon leaving Paris for Normandy, inspired him to create one of his greatest works, «Les Nymphéas». After seven years of residency he finally acquired this house, an hour-drive from north-west of the capital. The stunning flower garden in front welcomed Monet in, while the famous water gardens were created ten years later when he bought the vast property across the road. Living in Giverny from 1883 until his death in 1926 his other paintings of the water lilies and Japanese bridge were also inspired by these gardens, visited annually by 500,000 people. 

    His garden paintings were made especially famous by the colourful blaze of blooming alliums, peonies, irises, wallflowers and early roses, replaced by dahlias, asters, rudbekia flowers and a carpet of nasturtiums in his ‘Grand Alléé or the central alley painting in autumn. Even amateur eyes can comprehend that the planting was strategic, while the replica of a Japanese bridge and installed ponds with water lilies surrounded by weeping willows, cherry trees, rhododendrons and azaleas, ferns and irises were in his collections. Between July and August one can see the lilies upon walking on the bridge of his gardens, while his simple house features a colourful exterior with welcoming vibe illuminating warmth from within.

    Odessa, Ukraine

    Odessa Ukraine

    A park in the historic city center of Odessa. Editorial credit: Oleksandr Filatov / Shutterstock.com

    Sitting on the western shore of Ukraine’s Black Sea, this major port city, where even the winter’s ice does not interfere with shipping is an obscure gem of Europe. It contains the famous Potemkin Stairs constructed in 1837-42, featured in the The Battleship Potempkin film (1925) with the scene of the baby carriage falling down all 192 steps. One of the finest in Europe, The Grand Odessa Opera House, built in 1884–87, is not far. Also equipped with convenient rail and bus links, one can reach the 25 miles (40 kilometers) of sandy beaches galore with many clubs along the shore from outside of Ukraine as from within. Ibiza and Itaka night clubs on the Arcadia located on the eastern side when facing the sea are overcrowded and overpriced during the summer months, but concerts by most loved European artists make it well worth attending.

    The city received its name in 1795 from an ancient Greek colony, Odessos that occupied the area prior to it being called Khadzhibey, with a fortress, in 14th century. Turkey owned the site in 1764, while, in 1791, the region was Russia’s that began construction of their naval base with the rapid growth and foreign trade expansion in the 19th century, and with the arrival of the railway in 1866. It was the center of the unsuccessful 1905 revolution, the set for civilian massacre after warship Potemkin mutiny, occupied by the Germans with almost 100,000 Jews extinguished, but Odessa, despite occurring damages, rebuilt itself. The most known Deribasivska Street is the heart of Odessa of endless restaurants, fast food and boutiques, where people hang through the night.

    Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany

    Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    Panoramic view of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

    Located in Bavaria in south-central Germany, this postcard city provides a true fairy-tale experience, as the essence of Germany and containing everything «the most», beautiful, authentic, traditional, colourful, and charming for tourists and living conditions for the residents. Lying in the deep valley of the Tauber River, with the scenic “romantic route” between Würzburg and the Bavarian Alps, in the vicinity, it offers opportunities for strolling on the picture-perfect streets, visiting some of the numerous cafes for a sausage or a schnitzel meal followed by a cup of traditional European coffee with a whipped cream-topped strudel or the famous Bavarian beer. December and winter holidays offer the most magical site, getting awarded as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.

    Developed around the Hohenstaufen fortress, it was a free imperial city from 1274 to 1803. Under the burgomaster Heinrich Toppler from 1373 to 1408 it was most powerful and successful, losing its zenith after the Thirty Years’ War, upon getting besieged and captured in 1631 by the Catholic League forces. As commemorated in the collection of the Imperial City Museum, as well as every week in the play Der Meistertrunk (The Master Gulp), the tale goes that the city was spared after its citizen completed an enemy’s dare to drink more than three quarts of wine in a single gulp. As one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, it is encircled by many-towered walls guarding Gothic and Renaissance city hall with a Baroque arcade.

    Sistelo, Portugal

    Sistelo Portugal

    Sistelo Castle in Sistelo, Portugal.

    A 90-minute journey by car from Porto, Sistelo is a gem with only 300 inhabitants. Sometimes called «The little Portuguese Tibet”, it is considered one of the seven Portugal’s wonders with its green terraces shaped by human hands. Its plateaus are used for animal farming as well as are highly arable, producing grains, such as corn, stored in raised-from-the-ground granaries called «Espigueiros», to protect the precious supply from rodents. This small village is major producer of corn flour that is ground within the mills along the river.

    Sistelo offers a picturesque escape, where the most active can hike in natural setting stopping at the «Cha da Armada» viewpoint or walking the M1289 route to Padrao and Porta Cova to obtain the best views of this neat, hard-working village, in one of the country’s most scenic places. There is also the “Brandas de Sistelo” trail, with 11-kilometer walking opportunity in fresh air with exceptional views that begins in the village and showcases some of the most beautiful sights the region’s nature has to offer. Officially named national monuments and cultural landscapes of Portugal, along with the must-visit Sistelo Castle, displaying the cultural heritage of the region, Sistelo has been protected by law.

    Trans-Siberian Railway Journey, Russia

    Trans-Siberian rail

    Trans-Siberian train moving along the shores of Lake Baikal.

    The last gem is unique, in that it offers the opportunity to see the vastness of the world’s largest country, visiting some of its treasured cities, while being in an atmospheric environment throughout, a three-in-one experience to cherish forever. The journey on one of Russia’s famed trains, on the Trans-Siberian Railway, starts from Moscow, with three stop-overs in the cities of Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, and the deepest lake in the world, Baikal, which holds 20% of the world’s freshwater supply, in between. Choosing a class for the train ride, one may want to consider riding first- for the longer legs of the journey, or second-class, which offers most of the comforts, but cheaper, while opting-out for the «economy» third-class during the shorter ride, where the experience of intermingling with the mostly-Russian crowd will leave lasting impressions.

    Constructed in the late 19th century and completed in the turn of the 20th century the railway runs along Siberia between Moscow and the naval port of Vladivostok, with Ural Mountains to the West and the Pacific Ocean in the East. There are also off-shoots to China and Mongolia. Irkutsk, on one side of the lake is a mid-sized city, greatly contrasting the epic vibe of the capital. Upon scavenging the shores of Lake Baikal, one will get a chance to further appreciate its vastness through the onward journey to Ulan-Ude, which continues for 6 hours, almost entirely along the lake. Ulan-Ude welcomes one with a Russian-Mongolian mix, in culture, food, traditions, and architecture, such as the city’s monastery. The main Arbat Street offers refreshing fountains and local cuisine cafes for passing time. There is also a monument of Lenin’s head, a biggest of its kind in the world, located in this city close to Asia. 

    These gems offer unique perspectives of human and nature’s creativity on planet Earth. Being less visited than the great epicentres that are more written about, known and explored, one can also self-reflect by choosing a gem, get inspired and definitely have tales to tell back home.

    Источник

    There are plenty of incredible places waiting to be discovered in Europe. Some are more popular, others still remain hidden. Every time I visit a new country, I want to discover hidden gems, places that are not yet touristy. That’s why I searched for the most beautiful, off-the-beaten-path destinations in Europe.

    To make things easier for you, I’ve ordered them by country. How many of these secret places in Europe have you visited yet?

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    Hidden gems in Albania

    1. Theth

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    Located in the Northern Albania mountains, Theth is one of the off-the-beaten-path places in Europe that travelers should include on their bucket list. While getting more attention lately due to its charming atmosphere and stunning location, the village still retains its authentic character, with old stone churches and houses located in the middle of a lush valley, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and raging rivers.

    Around the village, there are plenty of hiking paths leading visitors to unbelievable mountain passes, waterfalls and other unforgettable sights.

    Hidden gems in Austria

    2. St. Wolfgang

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    The enchanting Sankt Wolfgang is located on the banks of Wolfgang Lake, in the Salzkammergut region of Austria, not far from the city of Salzburg. Caught between tall mountains and the crystal-clear lake, the small settlement has an authentic atmosphere that makes it one of the underrated places in Europe you need to visit.

    Apart from the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding the town, there’s a lot to explore inside Sankt Wolfgang, such as a beautiful old church, a spa and a winter resort. The village has been an important pilgrimage site for many centuries.

    Hidden gems in Azerbaijan

    3. Baku

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    The capital of Azerbaijan might be one of the unknown places in Europe – a city filled with amazing attractions that also exhibits a unique exotic atmosphere. Set on the shore of the Caspian Sea, this destination perfectly blends the old and the new, featuring a stunning walled old city.

    Tourists can visit the superb palace complex of the Shirvashahs, the 12th century stone Maiden Tower and many mosques and museums. Baku also features modern architectural wonders, like the Flame Towers, Teza Pir Mosque or the Crescent Hotel. The waterfront promenade is also another highlight, with many shaded alleys and cafes.

    Hidden gems in Belgium

    4. Ghent

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    If you’re looking for underrated places in Europe, make sure to add Ghent to your bucket list. I visited this incredible city twice and I’d go back anytime in a heartbeat.

    Unlike Bruges, Ghent is less touristy but equally charming. Here you’ll find beautiful cathedrals, a wide variety of craft beer and stunning canals. The best way to explore the city is by boat, so make sure to take a boat tour and admire the views!

    Hidden gems in Bosnia & Herzegovina

    5. Mostar

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    Have you ever considered visiting Bosnia & Herzegovina? Mostar is a charming town, located just a short drive away from Croatia. You can visit it as a day trip from Dubrovnik or Makarska.

    Mostar is mainly known for the picturesque houses and the Old Bridge. If you’re lucky enough, you can even see people jumping from the top of the bridge into the cold waters of the river below. Would you dare? I recommend planning at least one day to visit this beautiful town.

    Hidden gems in Bulgaria

    6. Veliko Tarnovo

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    Veliko Tarnovo is the perfect city-break in Bulgaria. The houses here are layered on beautiful hills while the city is divided in two by a stunning river. Veliko Tarnovo is a destination with a rich history and some of the places worth visiting are Tsaravets Fortress, Sveta Gora Park and Trapezitsa Fortress.

    While in the area, take a day trip to an incredible UFO-shaped building. It’s called Buzlduzha, an icon of the communist regime.

    Hidden gems in Croatia

    7. Galesnjak Island

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    Croatia is known for its countless stunning islands, but one of them is truly special. I’m talking about Galesnjak Island, an island shaped like a heart. There are no houses or infrastructure here, but you can visit this island and enjoy its beautiful beaches.

    It’s a popular destination for couples and honeymooners. This under-the-radar destination in Europe is a must-see!

    Hidden gems in Czech Republic

    8. Kutna Hora

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    After exploring Prague and its charming city centre, head to Kutna Hora, one of Europe’s secret destinations. Located in the region of Bohemia, Kutna Hora is a city full of history.

    Perhaps the main attraction here is the fascinating Sedlec Ossuary. This church is a resting place for more than 40,000 people, but there is nothing usual about this place. The church is decorated with human bones. Yes, you’ve heard it right, the chandeliers and other decorations are made out of bones.

    9. Telc

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    The marvelous town of Telc located in the southern part of the Czech Republic is one of those offbeat European destinations that offers an unexpected experience to all travelers. The historical town center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage and the houses here have one of the most beautiful and interesting architecture in this part of Europe.

    With colorful townhouses that date back centuries, but are perfectly preserved, a stupendous Gothic cathedral, an elegant Renaissance castle, underground tunnels and the delightful Czech beer to enjoy, this can be an unforgettable destination.

    Hidden gems in Estonia

    10. Tallinn

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    Estonia is one of the off-the-beaten-path destinations in Europe. When it comes to must-see places in Europe, Estonia is not on the top of any traveler’s mind. However, there are plenty of exciting places to discover in this country.

    One of them is Tallinn, the capital city. Tallinn has a beautiful old city, boasting with traditional restaurants, museums and historic houses. If you’re looking for something more modern, head to Telliskivi Creative city, a place for people to hang out and discover local shops.

    Hidden gems in The Faroe Islands

    11. Faroe Islands

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    The lonely Faroe Islands archipelago sits in the northern Atlantic Ocean, midway between the coasts of Norway, Iceland and Scotland. Lost in the endlessness of the sea, these dramatic islands are definitely among the hidden gems of Europe, featuring some of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes in the world.

    With more sheep than people inhabiting several of the 18 Faroe Islands, this area is known for its tall mountains rising from the ocean, green pastures and stone villages, lonely lighthouses and stunning waterfalls. A dream destination for anyone who loves natural wonders!

    Hidden gems in France

    12. Menton

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    Located on the French Riviera, Menton is known for its beautiful beaches and colorful houses. This city is best explored on foot. You’ll discover beautiful churches, local shops and stunning viewpoints.

    Menton is the perfect destination for those looking for a beautiful yet relaxed destination.

    13. Verdon Gorge

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    One of the most impressive natural wonders in Europe is the gorge of Verdon in the Provence of southeastern France. The deepest gorge in the country, is quite a spectacular sight. The turquoise water of the river meandering between steep cliffs that rise for hundreds of meters is a sight to remember.

    While there is no road through the gorge, several follow it high above, including many trekking paths that offer astonishing panoramas. Travelers can also discover this natural wonder’s beauty by going rafting, kayaking or renting a boat.

    Hidden gems in Georgia

    14. Ushguli

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    Among the unknown places in Europe, there are some fascinating destinations that truly surpass any expectation. Ushguli is located in the high mountains of Georgia, at an altitude of 2100 meters. Considered one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements on the continent, this piece of heaven is quite challenging to reach and this has preserved its authentic atmosphere and architecture.

    The highlights of this ancient village are the stone tower houses spread throughout the lush valley surrounded by tall ridges. Of the 300 towers that once stood in Ushguli, only about 30 can be admired today and they’re included in the UNESCO World Heritage.

    Hidden gems in Germany

    15. Basteibrucke

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    The sensational Bastei Rock Formations and Bridge are located near the eastern border of Germany, close to Dresden. Being one of the hidden places in Europe, this amazing structure is not known by many travelers, yet it is worth visiting for its spectacular landscapes.

    The rock formations were connected first by a wooden bridge and in 1851, a sandstone bridge was built for visitors to fully enjoy the scenery. Tourists can admire the surrounding mountains, the nearby river and even old fortresses on the horizon, as well as the needle-like rocks of Bastei that the bridge connects.

    16. Trier

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    Trier is one of the least known destinations in Germany, located close to the eastern border with Luxembourg, on the Moselle River. Claiming to be the Rome of the North, this tiny city packs an overwhelming amount of cultural heritage sites, including eight attractions that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage.

    Among the fascinating places to discover in Trier, are the Porta Nigra Roman Gate, Constantine’s Throne Room, the Roman Bridge, the imperial bathhouses, an amphitheater, the oldest Gothic church in Germany, a well-preserved medieval old town, the Karl Marx museum and many other marvels.

    Hidden gems in Greece

    17. Thassos

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    Everyone heard about Santorini or Mykonos, but few know about Thassos. There are many off-the-radar islands in Greece and Thassos is one of them. A must-see attraction on the island is the incredible Giola natural pool.

    Other tourist attractions include beautiful beaches such as Marble Beach and Golden Beach. While in Greece, don’t forget to try the Greek salad, it’s the perfect way to refresh yourself!

    18. Symi

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    Known for its colorful neoclassical houses, Symi town is a vibrant place that will steal your heart. While in the area, don’t hesitate to visit Symi Castle. It’s a 30 minutes hike to the top, but the views are worth it, especially if you visit it at sunset.

    If you’d like to explore some of the nearby beaches, take a boat tour from Symi town and be amazed by the crystal clear water. Symi is one of the most colorful places in the world and a hidden gem worth exploring.

    Hidden gems in Iceland

    19. Seydisfjordur

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    Have you ever heard about the Rainbow Street in Iceland? Well, it’s located in Seydisfjordur, a remote yet beautiful village in Iceland. There are several hikes you can do here, including visiting one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – Gufu Waterall.

    Seydisfjordur is a small, charming city. If you’re driving along the Ring Road, I recommend stopping here for at least a few hours. The scenery is breathtaking.

    20. The Arctic Henge

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    One of the most interesting hidden places in Europe can be uncovered in the wild and cold north of Iceland. The Arctic Henge is a unique monument created in the remote village of Raufarhofn, consisting of a set of blocks of stone that represent dwarves from the Icelandic legends and celebrate pagan beliefs.

    Set in a particular manner so that visitors can see the midnight sun from various points and without any interference, this monument is truly spectacular, a modern reinterpretation of ancient beliefs and customs.

    Hidden gems in Italy

    21. Castelmezzano

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    One of the most underrated destinations in Europe is the beautiful village of Castelezzano. Perched on a cliff, this village impresses through its architecture and history.

    Get lost on the narrow streets, stop at a local restaurant and enjoy a delicious glass of wine and some pasta. Can life get better than this? I don’t think so.

    22. Sirmione

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    Among the hidden gems of Europe, the idyllic Sirmione will definitely steal your heart. Located on the coast of Lake Garda in northern Italy, it’s packed with fascinating places to see.

    Among the highlights, Sirmione features a medieval castle rising out of the water, several splendid old churches, the marvelous Catullus Grottoes with its Roman ruins, the prehistoric site of Lugana Vecchia and many thermal springs. Tourists can also sail on the Garda Lake, hike in the nearby mountains and much more.

    23. Taormina

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    Majestically set between the mighty Etna Volcano and the coast of Sicily, the spectacular town of Taormina is one of the best secret destinations in Europe. Featuring a rich cultural heritage and blessed with amazing natural beauty that also includes several superb beaches, Taormina has a lot going for it.

    Travelers can explore its ancient attractions like the large and beautifully preserved Greek Theatre or admire the interesting Porta Messina, while newer sights include the Duomo di San Nicola, several beautiful churches and palaces. Another highlight is the tiny Isola Bella island, while the nearby coast is dotted with beaches, caves and grottoes.

    24. Procida

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    Often overlooked by travelers that choose more famous destinations like Capri or Ischia, the tiny island of Procida is equally enchanting. Tucked between Ischia and the mainland, Procida offers incredible views of the Gulf of Naples and the Vesuvius in the distance. An interesting fact is that Procida will be the Capital of Culture in Italy for 2022.

    There are plenty of things to admire and do on the island. You can admire the colorful houses, the beautiful old churches, the idyllic beaches and cozy little restaurants, but most of all, visitors come to enjoy the chilled-out lifestyle and atmosphere.

    Hidden gems in Northern Ireland

    25. Giant’s Causeway

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    Giant’s Causeway is a well-known destination in Northern Ireland. However, not many international tourists know about this place. The huge complex made from thousands of hexagonal basalt columns created by nature is a truly fascinating sight.

    Filled with legends and myths, these majestic geological formations impress through their almost perfect shapes, as well as the beauty of the landscape they create. Travelers can explore the site, learn more about it and admire the natural wonders on the northern coast of Northern Ireland.

    Hidden gems in Norway

    26. Reine

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    One of the off-the-beaten-track destinations in Europe, the small fishing village of Reine sits in a breathtaking landscape, surrounded by the northern wilderness of Norway. Located above the Polar Circle and on a remote island rather far from the mainland, this unique place shows the magnificence of Lofoten Islands, surrounded by tall mountains and fjords.

    While in Reine, a hike up to Reinebringen is definitely worth it for the spectacular panorama it offers. Tourists can also enjoy many other activities like cycling, kayaking, skiing or watching the Northern Lights (in winter).

    Hidden gems in Poland

    27. Zalipie

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    Looking for unique places in Europe? Look no further and plan a trip to Zalipie. This village is known for its houses that are painted in colorful floral patterns. Even the interior furniture follows the same patterns.

    There are a few locals left who still master this art, keeping this tradition alive. Zalipie has been on my bucket list for a long time and I’m more than happy to include it in this post about hidden gems in Europe.

    28. Poznan

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    Located in western Poland on the river Warta, Poznan has an unbelievably rich cultural heritage, mostly condensed into its splendid Old Town with colorful townhouses, elegant squares and old churches.

    Among the most interesting attractions in Poznan, travelers can visit the Old Market Square with the History Museum and the peculiar Croissant Museum, the Old Town Hall, the majestic Imperial Castle, the beautiful Poznan Cathedral, as well as many other museums and churches.

    Hidden gems in Portugal

    29. Costa Nova

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    Among the underrated places in Europe, the beaches of Portugal are not given enough credit for their sublime beauty and charm. One of the most beautiful ones can be found near the city of Aveiro, just south of Porto. The seaside resort and beach of Costa Nova and its sister Barra are simply stunning.

    With superb colorful houses lining the promenade, perfect golden sand beaches and plenty of activities to choose from, Costa Nova is a must-see destination in Europe. Furthermore, the tiny strip of land is backed by the Aveiro Lagoon, forming a splendid landscape.

    30. Obidos

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    One of the secret places in Portugal is Obidos, a small town that is still overlooked by tourists. The main attraction is the castle, but I also recommend walking on the narrow streets. Take your time to admire the beautifully pained houses.

    Hidden gems in Romania

    31. Biertan

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    One of Europe’s most beautiful villages is Biertan, a small village in Romania, hidden from tourists. What makes Biertan special is the fortified church located on top of a hill located right in the centre of the village.

    This church looks like a small castle and it dates back to the 15th century. The Saxon village of Biertan is also quite impressive. The houses are beautiful and there are a few restaurants where you can try traditional Romanian food.

    32. Sighisoara

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    The last inhabited medieval fortress, Sighisioara is one of the hidden gems in Romania and one of the most beautiful fortresses in the country. Stepping inside the fortress is like stepping a few hundred years back in time. The cobbled streets, small churches, beautiful towers and narrow alleys are just some of the attractions in Sighisoara.

    For the best view of the fortress and the city, climb to the top of the clock tower. Also, you can visit the place where Dracula was supposedly born. Sighisioara is a magical place that should be on the itinerary of any traveler visiting Romania.

    33. Transfagarasan

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    Rated by Top Gear as The Best Road in the World, Transfagarasan goes through the Carpathian Mountains in a series of never-ending hairpins. At its highest point, the road reaches Balea Lake – an iconic place in Romania.

    This secret place in Europe is mostly visited by locals, wanting to escape the chaotic cities. The road gets pretty busy during weekends and national holidays. Also, keep in mind that during winter, Transfagarasan is closed.

    Hidden gems in Russia

    34. Dargavs, the City of the Dead

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    This place is not for the faint-hearted. Dargavs is a medieval necropolis, home to the remains of more than 10,000 people. Located near the border with Georgia, this mysterious place is one of the less-known places in Europe.

    The history of this place is still unknown, but one thing is certain – there are 99 well-preserved crypts. Just like the crypts, the corpses here are very well preserved.

    Hidden gems in Scotland

    35. Edinburgh

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    Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a fantastic travel destination within Europe. With its mighty castle, its cobblestone streets and superb character, Edinburgh has plenty of highlights for travelers to discover.

    Among the most interesting things to see and do in Edinburgh, are the majestic Edinburgh Castle overlooking the city, the insightful National Museum of Scotland, a hike to the astonishing Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views of the city, the superb Calton Hill and the National Monument, the thrilling Dungeon and the charming Zoo.

    36. Portree

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    Set on the picturesque Skye Island, just off the northwestern coast of Scotland, the tiny Portree village is surrounded by the most enticing wilderness one could imagine. While only a couple of centuries old, this fishing village is one of those offbeat European destinations that offers an unforgettable experience.

    Among the most interesting things to see and do while visiting Portree, travelers can enjoy the charming bay and the surrounding hills or explore the hiking paths like the famous Old Man of Storr walk.

    Hidden gems in Slovenia

    37. Bohinj

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    One of the off-the-beaten-track destinations in Europe is the lake Bohinj, located inside the Triglav National Park in Slovenia. Surrounded by the magical Julian Alps, travelers often overlook it in favor of the more famous Lake Bled, located nearby.

    Nevertheless, it has its charm, the whole valley featuring astonishing landscapes with forests, pastures and remote villages, always backed by the mountain ridges. Visitors can explore the nearby hiking paths and discover unique panoramas, enjoy the local hospitality or try some water activities during the summer. There are also splendid canyons and waterfalls waiting to be explored.

    Hidden gems in Spain

    38. Gaucin

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    One of the secret destinations in Europe, Gaucin is located in southern Spain, not far from the coast and the Gibraltar Strait. Part of the white villages of Spain, the town and its bright houses sits on the mountains’ slope and features an authentic atmosphere that is lost elsewhere.

    The steep and narrow streets lead to unknown corners, where travelers can discover charming sights. One of the highlights includes climbing towards the ruins of the Castle of the Eagle for a superb panorama of the surrounding area, as well as other activities like hiking, birdwatching or simply enjoying the chilled-out life in a traditional restaurant.

    39. Setenil de Las Bodegas

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    Located in the mountains of Cadiz Province in southern Spain, this amazing village is one of the off-the-beaten-path places in Europe. The destination is extremely spectacular, built along the steep ridges of a river canyon, with some of the houses built directly into the rock or in former caves.

    It is definitely a unique settlement, with alleys passing through veritable tunnels under the rockface. Setenil de las Bodegas, apart from its amazing setting and architecture, is also known for its traditional products and cuisine.

    Hidden gems in The Netherlands

    40. Giethoorn

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    Giethoorn, also known as the Venice of the North is one of the most picturesque villages in Europe. What makes this village special is the fact that cars are not allowed inside and the only way to get around are by foot or by boat.

    The village itself is rather small, perfect to be explored in only one day. Most tourists come here as a day trip from Amsterdam.

    41. Delft

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    To avoid the chaos in Amsterdam, I recommend an equally charming city, Delft. Smaller than Amsterdam, but with rich history and incredible architecture, Delft is known for its blue Delft pottery.

    From Amsterdam, it’s easy to reach Delft by train and you can visit the main attractions in the city in just one day. Delft is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered!

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    Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend companies and products that I trust and the income goes to keeping this website running. Thanks!

    Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.

    She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.

    To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!

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