Surviving an avalanche was not on Thomas’s list of things to do in life. A thrill-seeker of epic proportions, he had jumped from a helicopter to ski remote mountain slopes and traversed half of Antarctica on a cross-country skiing adventure. If only his wisdom of doing things in packs hadn’t failed him on the day of his accident.
He had ventured out alone before, and in any case, most of the ski ranges around his mountain home were littered with forest rangers whose job was to help stranded hikers. So a solo trip by an experienced skier wasn’t the most dangerous of adventures.
Every seasoned skier is aware of both the risks and the joys involved with skiing off-piste. It’s a different experience from the snow that’s been packed down into hard ice by the hundreds of other skiers who have already crossed over it. Movements occur almost in slow-motion as the skier glides in and out of the piles of powder. It’s an exhausting challenge that requires effort from the skier’s whole body, but a unique one that hooks a skier after just one run.
Thomas even had special equipment for this particular type of skiing. His well-worn pair of traditional skis wouldn’t be sufficient, so he’d expended an extra two hundred pounds on a wider set of blades especially made for skiing in powder.
And it wasn’t as if safety was the last thing on his mind. He’d brought his avalanche kit in case of emergencies. He wore an airbag that would help to keep him near the surface if he pulled the cord in time, and another device which would assist him with breathing under snow. The rescue service’s number was programmed into his mobile phone, and his avalanche transceiver – which emits an emergency signal – was equipped with fully-charged batteries.
Thomas’s run that day was in familiar territory. He had always skied with a trusted ski buddy, with never an incident to report. Perhaps he had been lulled into a false sense of security. In fact, he had intended to ski with a friend that morning. When his friend couldn’t make it, Thomas considered not going himself, but the snow on the mountain had fallen just the night before, and the lure was too intense.
His run was a wide, bare track of slope nestled between two pine forests – a real skier’s delight, and quite popular with the locals as well.
They say an avalanche is like a sleeping giant, waiting to be woken up by even the slightest of nudges. Thomas gave this giant more than a nudge – he skied right over it and before he knew it, he was skiing on top of it as it slid down the mountain along with him. And if you ski on top of the giant’s mouth, it’s likely to swallow you whole.
As Thomas sank beneath powder, through his acute panic he managed to pull the cord on his airbag. The roar of the giant fell silent seconds later, and from beneath the snow it was as if morning had turned to night. Thomas tried to reach his phone, but his arm might as well have been cast in concrete. Lying still, his panic slowly shifting to an eerie peacefulness, he did his best to keep his chin up. He even began to enjoy the dark solitude, even though he knew he might never be found. Luckily for him, the giant had caught the attention of others, and the transceiver was doing the job it was designed to do.
1. What are the ‘packs’ that the author refers to in the first paragraph?
1) Types of snow.
2) Regions or areas.
3) Groups of people.
4) Ski manoeuvres.
2. Why didn’t Thomas think his solo ski run would be very risky?
1) There were personnel to help in case of trouble.
2) He wasn’t aware of the potential dangers.
3) He had been on more dangerous ski adventures.
4) He believed powder to be easier to ski on than packed ice.
3. Skiers who ski on powder for the first time …
1) often never do it again.
2) find it to be relaxing.
3) fall in love with the experience.
4) often get stuck in the snow.
4. What is true about Thomas’s avalanche kit?
1) The airbag would help him breathe.
2) The airbag would inflate automatically.
3) He had an emergency number written down.
4) Some items required electric power to function.
5. Why did Thomas particularly want to ski that day?
1) It was pre-arranged with his friend.
2) He wanted to ski alone.
3) The area was beautiful.
4) The weather conditions were ideal.
6. An avalanche is compared to a sleeping giant because …
1) it’s not usually dangerous.
2) it can quickly spring into life.
3) it’s a huge spectacle.
4) it can easily kill people.
7. The expression ‘keep his chin up’ in the last paragraph means …
1) stay positive.
2) keep breathing.
3) raise his head.
4) avoid making movements.
SURVIVING AN AVALANCHE
Surviving an avalanche was not on Thomas’s list of things to do in life. A thrill-seeker of epic proportions, he had jumped from a helicopter to ski remote mountain dopes and traversed half of Antarctica on a cross-country skiing adventure. If only his wisdom of doing things in packs hadn’t failed him on the day of his accident.
He had ventured out alone before, and in any case, most of the ski ranges around his mountain home were littered with forest rangers whose job was to help stranded hikers. So a solo trip by an experienced skier wasn’t the most dangerous of adventures.
Every seasoned skier is aware of both the risks and the joys involved with skiing off-piste. It’s a different experience from the snow that’s been packed down into hard ice by the hundreds of other skiers who have already crossed over it. Movements occur almost in slow-motion as the skier glides in and out of the piles of powder. It’s an exhausting challenge that requires effort from the skier’s whole body, but a unique one that hooks a skier after just one run.
Thomas even had special equipment for this particular type of skiing. His well-worn pair of traditional skis wouldn’t be sufficient, so he’d expended an extra two hundred pounds on a wider set of blades especially made for skiing in powder.
And it wasn’t as if safety was the last thing on his mind. He’d brought his avalanche kit in case of emergencies. He wore an airbag that would help to keep him near the surface if he pulled the cord in time, and another device which would assist him with breathing under snow. The rescue service’s number was programmed into his mobile phone, and his avalanche transceiver – which emits an emergency signal – was equipped with fully-charged batteries.
Thomas’s run that day was in familiar territory. He had always skied with a trusted ski buddy, with never an incident to report. Perhaps he had been lulled into a false sense of security. In fact, he had intended to ski with a friend that morning. When his friend couldn’t make it, Thomas considered not going himself, but the snow on the mountain had fallen just the night before, and the lure was too intense.
His run was a wide, bare track of slope nestled between two pine forests – a real skier’s delight, and quite popular with the locals as well.
They say an avalanche is like a sleeping giant, waiting to be woken up by even the slightest of nudges. Thomas gave this giant more than a nudge – he skied right over it and before he knew it, he was skiing on top of it as it slid down the mountain along with him. And if you ski on top of the giant’s mouth, it’s likely to swallow you whole.
As Thomas sank beneath powder, through his acute panic he managed to pull the cord on his airbag. The roar of the giant fell silent seconds later, and from beneath the snow it was as if morning had turned to night. Thomas tried to reach his phone, but his arm might as well have been cast in concrete. Lying still, his panic slowly shifting to an eerie peacefulness, he did his best to keep his chin up. He even began to enjoy the dark solitude, even though he knew he might never be found. Luckily for him, the giant had caught the attention of others, and the transceiver was doing the job it was designed to do.
12 What are the ‘packs that the author refers to in the first paragraph?
1) Types of snow.
2) Regions or areas.
3) Groups of people.
4) Ski manoeuvres.
13 Why didn’t Thomas think his solo ski run would be very risky?
1) There were personnel to help in case of trouble.
2) He wasn’t aware of the potential dangers.
3) He had been on more dangerous ski adventures.
4) He believed powder to be easier to ski on than packed ice.
14 Skiers who ski on powder for the first time …
1) often never do it again.
3) fall in love with the experience.
2) find it to be calming.
4) often get stuck in the snow.
15 What is true about Thomas’s avalanche kit?
1) The airbag would help him breathe.
2) The airbag would inflate automatically.
3) He had an emergency number written down.
4) Some items required electric power to function.
16 Why did Thomas particularly want to ski that day?
1) It was pre-arranged with his friend.
2) He wanted to ski alone.
3) The area was beautiful.
4) The weather conditions were ideal.
17 An avalanche is compared to a sleeping giant became …
1) it’s not usually dangerous.
2) it can quickly spring into life.
3) it’s a huge spectacle.
4) it can easily kill people.
18 The expression ‘keep his chin up’ in the last paragraph means …
1) stay positive.
2) keep breathing.
3) raise his head.
4) avoid making movements.
Ответы пишем мне на почту – natie2051@yandex.ru.
12-3 / 13-1 / 14-3 / 15-4 / 16-4 / 17-1 / 18-1
Surviving an avalanche Surviving an avalanche was no on Thomasslist of things to do seeker of epic propo on he had jumped from a helicopter to ski remote mountain slopes and traversed half of Antarctica his f doing in packs hadn’t failed him on the day of his accident. He had ventured out alone before, and in any case, most of the ski ranges around his mountain littered with forest rangers whose job was to help stranded hikers. So a solo trip by an experienced skier wasn’t the most dangerous of adventures, Every seasoned skier is aware of both the risks and the joys involved with skiing off-piste It’s a different experience from the snow that’s been pa down into ice by the who have already crossed over it. Movements occur almost in slow motion as the skier glides in and out of powder. It’s an exhausting challenge that requires effort from the skier’s whole body, but a unique one that hooks a skier after just one run. Thomas even had special equipment for this particular type of skiing His well worn pair oftraditional skis wouldn’t be sufficient, so he’d expended an extra two hundred pounds on a wider set ofblades especially made for sking in powder And it wasn’t as ifsafety was he last thing on hismind. He’d brought his avalanchekitincase of emergencies He wore an airbag that would help to keep him near the surface if he pulled the cord in time and another device which would assist him with breathing under snow The rescue services number was programmed into his mobile one, and his avalanche tra which emits an emergency signal was equipped ph with fully charged batteries. sin familiar territory. He had always skied with a trusted ski buddy, with never Thomas’s run that day an incident to report. Perhaps he had been ed into a false sense of security In fact, he had intended to ski with a friend that morning When his friend couldn’t make it, Thomas considered not going himself, but the snow on the mountain had fallen just the night before. and the lure was too intense. His run was a wide, bare track of slope nestled between two pine forests a real skier’s delight, and quite popular with the locals as well They say an avalanche is like a sleeping giant, waiting to be woken up by even the slightest of nudges. Thomas gave this giant more than a nudge-he skied right and before he knew it, he was skiing on top of it as it slid down the mountain a with him. And if you ski on top of the giants mouth, it’s likely to swallow you whole. As Thomas sank beneath powder, through his acute panic he managed t pull the cord on his airba The roar of the giant fell silent seconds later, and from beneath the snow it was as if morning had turned to night. Thomas tried to reach his phone, but his arm might as well have been cas concrete. Lying still his panic slowly shifting to an eerie peacefulness, he did his best to keep his chin up. He the dark solitude, even though he knew he might never be found. Luckily for him, the giant had caught the a on of others, and the transceiver was doing the iob it was designed to do.
Переведите пожалуйста, братки
Surviving an avalanche Surviving an avalanche was no on Thomasslist of things to do seeker of epic propo on he had jumped from a helicopter to ski remote mountain slopes and traversed half of Antarctica his f doing in packs hadnt failed him on the day of his accident. He had ventured out alone before, and in any case, most of the ski ranges around his mountain littered with forest rangers whose job was to help stranded hikers. So a solo trip by an experienced skier wasnt the most dangerous of adventures, Every seasoned skier is aware of both the risks and the joys involved with skiing off-piste Its a different experience from the snow thats been pa down into ice by the who have already crossed over it. Movements occur almost in slow motion as the skier glides in and out of powder. Its an exhausting challenge that requires effort from the skiers whole body, but a unique one that hooks a skier after just one run. Thomas even had special equipment for this particular type of skiing His well worn pair oftraditional skis wouldnt be sufficient, so hed expended an extra two hundred pounds on a wider set ofblades especially made for sking in powder And it wasnt as ifsafety was he last thing on hismind. Hed brought his avalanchekitincase of emergencies He wore an airbag that would help to keep him near the surface if he pulled the cord in time and another device which would assist him with breathing under snow The rescue services number was programmed into his mobile one, and his avalanche tra which emits an emergency signal was equipped ph with fully charged batteries. sin familiar territory. He had always skied with a trusted ski buddy, with never Thomass run that day an incident to report. Perhaps he had been ed into a false sense of security In fact, he had intended to ski with a friend that morning When his friend couldnt make it, Thomas considered not going himself, but the snow on the mountain had fallen just the night before. and the lure was too intense. His run was a wide, bare track of slope nestled between two pine forests a real skiers delight, and quite popular with the locals as well They say an avalanche is like a sleeping giant, waiting to be woken up by even the slightest of nudges. Thomas gave this giant more than a nudge-he skied right and before he knew it, he was skiing on top of it as it slid down the mountain a with him. And if you ski on top of the giants mouth, its likely to swallow you whole. As Thomas sank beneath powder, through his acute panic he managed t pull the cord on his airba The roar of the giant fell silent seconds later, and from beneath the snow it was as if morning had turned to night. Thomas tried to reach his phone, but his arm might as well have been cas concrete. Lying still his panic slowly shifting to an eerie peacefulness, he did his best to keep his chin up. He the dark solitude, even though he knew he might never be found. Luckily for him, the giant had caught the a on of others, and the transceiver was doing the iob it was designed to do.
Переведите пожалуйста, братки
Ответ оставил Гость
Выживание лавины, оставшейся в живых лавины не было в Томасском списке вещей, чтобы сделать искатель эпического пропо на он прыгнул с вертолета на лыжах отдаленные горные склоны и проехал половину Антарктиды его f делать в пачках не подвел его в день его аварии. Он рискнул в одиночку раньше, и в любом случае, большинство горнолыжных хребтов вокруг его горы завалены лесными рейнджерами, чья работа заключалась в том, чтобы помочь мель туристов. Так что поездка опытного лыжника не была самой опасной из приключений, каждый опытный лыжник осознает как риски, так и радости, связанные с катанием вне трасс Это другой опыт от снега, который был PA вниз в лед тех, кто уже пересек через него. Движения происходят почти в замедленном движении, как лыжник скользит в и из порошка. Это изматывающая задача, которая требует усилий от всего тела лыжника, но уникальный, который крючки лыжник после одного пробега. Томас даже не имели специального оборудования для этого типа катания на лыжах его хорошо носить пару oftraditional лыжи не быть достаточным, чтобы он не расходовал дополнительную двести фунтов на более широкий набор ofblades специально для скинг в порошок и это было не так ifsafety он был последняя вещь на hismind. Он принес свою лавину аварийных ситуаций Он носил воздушную подушку, которая помогла бы держать его вблизи поверхности, если он вытащил шнур во времени и другое устройство, которое помогло бы ему дышать под снегом спасательные службы номер был запрограммирован в его мобильный один, и его лавина tra который испускает аварийный сигнал был оснащен рН полностью заряженных батарей. грех знакомой территории. Он всегда катался на лыжах с доверенным лыжным приятелем, с никогда Томас запустить в тот день инцидент, чтобы сообщить. Возможно, на самом деле он был погружен в ложное чувство безопасности, он намеревался кататься на лыжах с другом в то утро, когда его друг не мог сделать это, Томас считал, что не собирается сам, но снег на горе упал накануне вечером. и приманка была слишком интенсивной. Его бегом была широкая, голая трасса склона, расположенная между двумя сосновыми лесами настоящий лыжник восторг, и довольно популярен у местных жителей, а также Говорят, лавина, как спящий гигант, ожидая, чтобы проснуться даже малейших подталкивает. Томас давал этому гиганту больше толчка-он катался на лыжах правильно, и прежде чем он знал это, он катался на лыжах на вершине его, как он скользил с горы а с ним. И если вы катаетесь на лыжах на вершине гигантского рта, это, скорее всего, проглотит вас целиком. Когда Томас затонул под порохом, из-за острой паники ему удалось потянуть шнур на свою аирбу, рев гиганта замолчал спустя несколько секунд, а из-под снега как будто утро обернулось ночью. Томас пытался дозвониться до телефона, но его рука тоже могла быть бетонной. Лежа все еще в панике, медленно переходя к жуткой мирности, он сделал все возможное, чтобы держать подбородок вверх. Он темный одинокий, хотя знал, что его никогда не найдут. К счастью для него, гигант поймал себя на других, и трансивер делал работы было задумано.
My First Time Online
19. My first internet experience was back in 1997 when the Internet… accessible to the public. MAKE
20. I had some experience in computing as I… a couple of computer classes before. TAKE
21. When the Internet became even …, I could no longer resist buying my own computer and getting online. POPULAR
22. I was so excited when I… the computer home that I just couldn’t wait to set it up and start surfing the web! The setting up was quite easy but I still couldn’t get online. BRING
23. I had to call the service provider and establish a dial-up service first. Luckily, that… very long. I was able to get online within a few hours. NOT TAKE
24. You wouldn’t believe what happened next. I found out that the monitor wasn’t working properly. It had black horizontal lines running through. While I… to fix it, the screen went completely black. I went to exchange the monitor the following day, and my real first internet experience began. TRY
***
Прочитайте приведённый ниже текст. Образуйте от слов, напечатанных заглавными буквами в конце строк, обозначенных номерами 25—29, однокоренные слова так, чтобы они грамматически и лексически соответствовали содержанию текста. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Каждый пропуск соответствует отдельному заданию из группы 25—29.
Florida
25. When the famous explorer, Columbus claimed Florida for Spain in 1492, he had never laid eyes on it. The area’s most important early ……………………… thus set a pattern that has continued for centuries. VISIT
26. There is a general belief amongst people, apparently quite ……………………… with whether or not they’ve been there themselves, that Florida is a good place to go. CONNECT
27. In fact, it is almost impossible not to enjoy yourself in Florida today, given the wonderful ……………………… of facilities available for tourists. SELECT
28. Some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions are located in the state whose ……………………… beaches welcome 40 million people each year. SAND
29. These days it seems ……………………… to describe Florida’s geography and climate. POINT
***
Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 30—36. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 30—36, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов. Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.
What a Trick!
Lisa and I have been friends since the third grade. We both loved to ride our bikes and loved spending the holidays, weekends, and summers together.
One summer, we settled 30 … cleaning up her room. As soon as we started, Lisa’s mom called her for some help. Vacuuming was my favorite part of cleaning, so I decided to clean up every spot. When I bent over to suck up the dust under the dresser, I found a book with the word DIARY on it.
The book was bright pink and looked more like old scraps of paper than a diary. Usually I would not snoop in private belongings, but when I picked it up from underneath the dresser I saw that the pages were messed up and I decided to put them back together. While doing so, I saw my name in a passage that really 31 … my attention: «It made me cry when Papa told me we’re moving to Sri Lanka. He told me not to tell Nadine because it might break her heart. Well, I will just enjoy the last summer I have now.»
Friends help me realize my good qualities. Even though I felt 32 … over the situation, I decided not to spoil our friendship. At that point, I 33 … a vow to give Lisa the best summer I could.
The next day, Lisa had complete control. I 34 … her do things I even hated doing. We went to the boring museum. We watched her stupid brother, Line, do his band show. Finally, Lisa became 35 … of what I was doing. «Why are you doing all this? It’s not my birthday or anything.»
«Lisa, I know you’re moving to Sri Lanka. I’ve read your diary,» I confessed.
«Are you talking about this?» Lisa held up the same pink notepad I saw the previous day and started to laugh. «This notebook isn’t my diary. It was a novel I started on. I was making a story about you and me.»
I felt relieved but confused and I couldn’t 36 … but ask, «What about the title? It does say „DIARY“ on it?»
«I put that there so no one would read it until I finished. Do you really think I would move to Sri Lanka and not tell you? Ha, that’s a laugh!» Lisa exploded with unstoppable laughter.
30. 1) on. 2) down. 3) up. 4) for
Ответ _____
31. 1) paid. 2) held. 3) kept. 4) caught
Ответ _____
32. 1) distracted. 2) distraught. 3) distort. 4) distrust
Ответ _____
33. 1) broke. 2) did. 3) made. 4) said
Ответ _____
34. 1) allowed. 2) got. 3) let. 4) made
Ответ _____
35. 1) surprised. 2) interested. 3) keen. 4) aware
Ответ _____
36. 1) stand. 2) help. 3) wait. 4) feel
Ответ _____
По окончании выполнения заданий 19—36 не забудьте перенести свои ответы в БЛАНК ОТВЕТОВ №1! Запишите ответ справа от номера соответствующего задания, начиная с первой клеточки. При переносе ответов на задания 19—29 буквы записываются без пробелов, запятых и других дополнительных символов. Каждую букву или цифру пишите в отдельной клеточке в соответствии с приведёнными в бланке образцами.
Проверьте, чтобы каждый ответ был записан рядом с номером соответствующего задания.
Раздел 4. Письменная речь
Для ответов на задания 37 и 38 используйте бланк ответов №2. Черновые пометки можно делать прямо на листе с заданиями или использовать отдельный черновик. При выполнении заданий 37 и 38 особое внимание обратите на то, что Ваши ответы будут оцениваться только по записям, сделанным в БЛАНКЕ ОТВЕТОВ №2. Никакие записи черновика не будут учитываться экспертом. Обратите внимание также на необходимость соблюдения указанного объёма текста. Тексты недостаточного объёма, а также часть текста, превышающая требуемый объём, не оцениваются. Укажите номер задания 37 в БЛАНКЕ ОТВЕТОВ №2 и напишите текст своего ответного электронного письма зарубежному другу по переписке.
37. You have received an email message from your English-speaking pen-friend John:
From: John@mail.uk
To: Russian_friend@oge.ru
Subject: Jobs
…My brother has just graduated from University. He is a lawyer now. What professions are the most prestigious in Russia? What kinds of money-making jobs in Russia do not require a university degree? Do you want to go to college, why or why not?
This summer we are going on a three-day bicycle trip…
Write an email to John.
In your message:
– answer his questions;
– ask 3 questions about the trip.
Write 100—140 words
Remember the rules of email writing.
***
Выберите только ОДНО из двух предложенных заданий (38.1 или 38.2), укажите его номер в БЛАНКЕ ОТВЕТОВ №2 и выполните согласно данному плану. В ответе на задание 38 числительные пишите цифрами.
38.1 Imagine that you are doing a project on what types of e-books are popular with teenagers in Zetland. You have found some data on the subject – the results of the opinion polls (see the table below).
Comment on the data in the table and give your opinion on the subject of the project.
Write 200—250 words.
– Make an opening statement on the subject of the project;
– Select and report 2—3 facts;
– Make 1—2 comparisons where relevant and give your comments;
– Outline a problem that can arise with reading e-books and suggest a way of solving it;
– Conclude by giving and explaining your opinion on the importance of reading e-books for teenagers.
***
38.2 Imagine that you are doing a project on disadvantages of new technologies in Zetland. You have found some data on the subject – the results of the opinion polls (see the pie chart below).
Comment on the data in the pie chart and give your opinion on the subject of the project.
Drawbacks of Modern Technologies in Zetland
Write 200—250 words.
Use the following plan:
– Make an opening statement on the subject of the project;
– Select and report 2—3 facts;
– Make 1—2 comparisons where relevant and give your comments;
– Outline a problem that one can face using modern technologies and suggest a way of solving it;
– Conclude by giving and explaining your opinion on importance of modern technologies.
Проверьте, чтобы каждый ответ был записан рядом с номером соответствующего задания.
Test 32. Устная часть
Task 1
Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.
Money has played an important role in every civilization. It has taken various forms and has changed many times over the centuries. The first form of payment was the exchange of goods. People usually exchanged animal skins and meat, fruit and vegetables, clothes and precious stones. In the 7th century ВС the first coins appeared. They were usually made of silver or gold and their value depended on the amount of metal in each coin. With time, coins became very popular and many countries produced their own currency. The introduction of paper money – banknotes – in the 17th century was the beginning of banking systems in many European countries. Since then, banks have offered a wide range of services like loans, bank accounts and many others. Today, people pay for things in different ways: they pay in cash, by cheque or by credit card. The last one, it seems, is the most convenient form of payment. Many people believe that one day money in the form of coins, banknotes, cheques and magnetic cards will totally disappear and that all buying and selling will be done via the Internet.
Task 2
Study the advertisement.
This summer you will study in France for three months and you want to attend a school dance.
In 1.5 minutes you are to ask four direct questions to find out the following:
1) dance school address
2) the hours of opening
3) the three-month subscription fee
4) the rate for young people
You have 20 seconds to ask each question.
Task 3
You are going to give an interview. You have to answer five questions.
Give full answers to the questions (2—3 sentences).
Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.
Typescript for Task 3
Interviewer: Hello everybody! It’s the Club «Our Favourite Hobby». Our guest today is a teenager from Russia and we are going to discuss taking up a hobby. We’d like to know our guest’s point of view on this issue. Please answer five questions. So, let’s get started.
Interviewer: What do you usually do in your free time?
Student:
Interviewer: What hobbies do your friends and family members have?
Student:
Interviewer: Do hobbies help or interfere with studying? What’s your opinion?
Student:
Interviewer: How much time do you spend on your hobby?
Student:
Interviewer: Do you think that everyone should find time for a hobby? Why?
Student:
Interviewer: Thank you very much for your interview.
Task 4
Imagine that you and your friend are doing a project «Riding a Bike». You have found some illustrations and want to share the news. Leave a voice message to your friend. In 2.5 minutes be ready to:
– explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences;
– mention the advantages (1—2) of the two types of riding a bike;
– mention the disadvantages (1—2) of the two types of riding a bike;
– express your opinion on the subject of the project – which way of riding a bike you’d prefer and why.
You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12—15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.
TEST 33
Раздел 1. Аудирование
1. Вы услышите 6 высказываний. Установите соответствие между высказываниями каждого говорящего A—F и утверждениями, данными в списке 1—7. Используйте каждое утверждение, обозначенное соответствующей цифрой, только один раз. В задании есть одно лишнее утверждение. Вы услышите запись дважды. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу.
1. This place might be dangerous for your pet.
2. You can leave your pet at this place for a while.
3. You can make your pet prettier here.
4. You can buy a pet here.
5. You can get your pet fed at this place.
6. You can get your pet treated here.
7. You can take your pet for a walk here.
2. Вы услышите диалог. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений А—G соответствуют содержанию текста (1 – True), какие не соответствуют (2 – False) и о чём в тексте не сказано, то есть на основании текста нельзя дать ни положительного, ни отрицательного ответа (3 – Not stated). Занесите номер выбранного Вами варианта ответа в таблицу. Вы услышите запись дважды.
A. Lucy wasn’t at school for several days.
B. Lucy felt bad because of overeating.
C. Lucy’s mother is a doctor.
D. Peter did exercises with the map of the UK.
E. Peter is not afraid of the test.
F. Peter offers his notes to Lucy.
G. Lucy and Peter are going to review for the test later.
***
Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3—9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Вы услышите запись дважды.
3. What do we learn about Alyson at the beginning of the interview?
1) She is a college student.
2) She has published her first novel.
3) You can’t buy her books online.
Ответ:
4. How does Alyson feel when she sees her book in shops?
1) She still can’t believe it’s true.
2) She feels very proud of herself.
3) She wants to buy it for herself.
Ответ:
5. How did Alyson start to write?
1) She wrote poems for her classmates’ birthdays.
2) Her teacher at school gave the class weekly writing tasks.
3) She attended specialized writing school
Ответ:
6. What does Alyson say about her college days?
1) What does Alyson say about her college days?
2) What does Alyson say about her college days?
3) What does Alyson say about her college days?
Ответ:
7. What does Alyson say about her literary prize at college?
1) It was not much money.
2) It was her first prize ever.
3) It made her feel like a writer.
Ответ:
8. The first advice from Alyson as a published writer for beginners is about…
1) readers.
2) criticism.
3) editors
Ответ:
9. Why does Alyson believe that the scale of the first publication is not that important?
1) A smaller journal is preferable.
2) Getting a small fee is still better than nothing.
3) Your work could be noticed anywhere
Ответ:
По окончании выполнения заданий 1—9 не забудьте перенести ответы в БЛАНК ОТВЕТОВ №1! Запишите ответ справа от номера соответствующего задания, начиная с первой клеточки. При переносе ответов на задания 1 и 2 цифры записываются без пробелов, запятых и других дополнительных символов. Каждую цифру пишите в отдельной клеточке в соответствии с приведёнными в бланке образцами.
Раздел 2. Чтение
10. Установите соответствие между текстами A—G и заголовками 1—8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний.
1. Tastes from abroad.
2. Out of style.
3. Musical tastes.
4. Lifting weights.
5. Trendy styles
6. Dining out
7. Exercise routine
8. Musical exercise
A. Forming a band, even if only as a hobby, can be good fun. Of course, it can go beyond that if you get really good. You can play at festivals, and if the crowd loves you, it’s an amazing experience. It’s even a great way to get a workout, especially if you’re playing the drums. It takes a lot of energy, and it can actually help you get fit.
B. Rugby players need strength to push the other guys round the field. That’s why it’s essential for them to build muscle mass, and there’s only one way to do that. They’ve got to hit the gym and start pumping iron. It’s incredibly hard work and it’s not for everyone. They’ve also got to take it slowly, because it’s not a good idea to lift too much too soon.
C. It’s important to try new things. In fact, it’s almost necessary, because we get bored with doing the same thing day in, day out. Luckily, we live in a multicultural world. Take food, for example. No matter where you are, it seems that someone from far away has opened a restaurant featuring cuisine from their homeland. That’s something different for a change.
D. In order to get in shape, you have to do more than just go to the gym once a month. You need to go at least three times a week. You must set up a schedule and stick to it. Even when you work forty hours a week, you have to arrange to head off after work for gym time. And you should exercise for a set amount of time with every visit.
E. Eating at home has its benefits. It’s certainly nutritious – that is, if you’re cooking healthily. But eating in restaurants is such a great, social experience. It’s something we should do at least once a week. You can do a lot of people-watching in restaurants, too, so it’s great fun. Not to mention that you don’t have to cook, and if you want something, someone will fetch it!
F. Some people don’t dress like other kids from their school because they simply don’t feel like keeping up with all the latest trends. Trends change every year anyway, if not more often. For some, second-hand shops are their favourite shopping experience. You can find all sorts of funky clothing there, and who cares if it’s something most people wouldn’t wear?
G. The style of music we listen to says a lot about who we are. People who prefer classical music have refined tastes and an appreciation for the arts. Those who like heavy metal enjoy being energetic when they listen to music. Fans of pop music enjoy staying up-to-date with trends. And those who like old music like to imagine what life was like in a different era.
***
11. Прочитайте текст и заполните пропуски A—F частями предложений, обозначенными цифрами 1—7. Одна из частей в списке 1—7 лишняя. Занесите цифры, обозначающие соответствующие части предложений, в таблицу.
Holiday rental properties
Changes occur in most industries, and travel is no exception. A new trend in temporary accommodation has gained popularity recently. Its appeal is rooted in people’s desire to find a smart place to stay ___ (A).
Traditionally, the most common options were hotels, which came with many amenities, such as room service, daily room cleaning, and so forth. These days, hotels charge a hefty price for a nights stay. With so many people on a budget, there is a need ___ (B).
The trend of renting out a property, whereby someone owns a home or apartment but has another residence as their primary home, began to rise in popularity just a few years back. In its earliest phase, property owners were reluctant to try it out because they were sceptical of a variety of factors, ___ (C).
But it seems that phase has run its course for the most part, and more and more people are taking advantage of the service. It is a positive experience for everyone; property owners make extra money and renters enjoy more space for less expense. For renters, the experience is not unlike staying in your very own holiday home ___ (D).
Most recently, a website has emerged as one of the leading places for people to either list or locate rental properties. Known as Airbnb, the company’s profits have skyrocketed since its founding. It’s free to list a property, and ___ (E). Owners can publish several photos of their property and communicate with potential renters through the site.
Security does remain an issue, and recent events have prompted ___ (F). Despite this, Airbnb has earned praise for its creativity and the affordable service it provides.
1. the company generates revenues by taking a percentage of the rental fee
2. such as the risk of renting the property to people who might damage it
3. that is within a price range they can comfortably afford
4. such as a house that someone has inherited but doesn’t live in
5. to provide stylish accommodation without the excessive price tag
6. the company to begin guaranteeing properties against damages
7. that you keep hidden away for a weekend retreat
***
Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12—18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.
Surviving an Avalanche
Surviving an avalanche was not on Thomas’s list of things to do in life. A thrill-seeker of epic proportions, he had jumped from a helicopter to ski remote mountain slopes and traversed half of Antarctica on a cross-country skiing adventure. If only his wisdom of doing things in packs hadn’t failed him on the day of his accident.
He had ventured out alone before, and in any case, most of the ski ranges around his mountain home were littered with forest rangers whose job was to help stranded hikers. So a solo trip by an experienced skier wasn’t the most dangerous of adventures.
Every seasoned skier is aware of both the risks and the joys involved with skiing off-piste. It’s a different experience from the snow that’s been packed down into hard ice by the hundreds of other skiers who have already crossed over it. Movements occur almost in slow-motion as the skier glides in and out of the piles of powder. It’s an exhausting challenge that requires effort from the skier’s whole body, but a unique one that hooks a skier after just one run.
Thomas even had special equipment for this particular type of skiing. His well-worn pair of traditional skis wouldn’t be sufficient, so he’d expended an extra two hundred pounds on a wider set of blades especially made for skiing in powder.
And it wasn’t as if safety was the last thing on his mind. He’d brought his avalanche kit in case of emergencies. He wore an airbag that would help to keep him near the surface if he pulled the cord in time, and another device which would assist him with breathing under snow. The rescue service’s number was programmed into his mobile phone, and his avalanche transceiver – which emits an emergency signal – was equipped with fully-charged batteries.
Thomas’s run that day was in familiar territory. He had always skied with a trusted ski buddy, with never an incident to report. Perhaps he had been lulled into a false sense of security. In fact, he had intended to ski with a friend that morning. When his friend couldn’t make it, Thomas considered not going himself, but the snow on the mountain had fallen just the night before, and the lure was too intense.
His run was a wide, bare track of slope nestled between two pine forests – a real skier’s delight, and quite popular with the locals as well.
They say an avalanche is like a sleeping giant, waiting to be woken up by even the slightest of nudges. Thomas gave this giant more than a nudge – he skied right over it and before he knew it, he was skiing on top of it as it slid down the mountain along with him. And if you ski on top of the giant’s mouth, it’s likely to swallow you whole.
As Thomas sank beneath powder, through his acute panic he managed to pull the cord on his airbag. The roar of the giant fell silent seconds later, and from beneath the snow it was as if morning had turned to night. Thomas tried to reach his phone, but his arm might as well have been cast in concrete. Lying still, his panic slowly shifting to an eerie peacefulness, he did his best to keep his chin up. He even began to enjoy the dark solitude, even though he knew he might never be found. Luckily for him, the giant had caught the attention of others, and the transceiver was doing the job it was designed to do.
12. What are the ’packs’ that the author refers to in the first paragraph?
1) Types of snow.
2) Regions or areas.
3) Groups of people
4) Ski manoeuvres.
Ответ:
13. Why didn’t Thomas think his solo ski run would be very risky?
1) There were personnel to help in case of trouble.
2) He wasn’t aware of the potential dangers.
3) He had been on more dangerous ski adventures.
4) He believed powder to be easier to ski on than packed ice.
Ответ:
14. Skiers who ski on powder for the first time…
1) often never do it again.
2) find it to be relaxing.
3) fall in love with the experience.
4) often get stuck in the snow.
Ответ:
15. What is true about Thomas’s avalanche kit?
1) The airbag would help him breathe.
2) The airbag would inflate automatically.
3) He had an emergency number written down.
4) Some items required electric power to function.
Ответ:
.
16. Why did Thomas particularly want to ski that day?
1) It was pre-arranged with his friend.
2) He wanted to ski alone.
3) The area was beautiful.
4) The weather conditions were ideal.
Ответ:
17. An avalanche is compared to a sleeping giant because…
1) it’s not usually dangerous.
2) it can quickly spring into life.
3) it’s a huge spectacle.
4) it can easily kill people.
Ответ:
18. The expression ’keep his chin up’ in the last paragraph means…
1) stay positive.
2) keep breathing.
3) raise his head.
4) avoid making movements.
Ответ:
- Подробности
-
3902
Прочитайте текст. Заполните пропуски в предложениях под номерами В4-В10 соответствующими формами слов, напечатанных заглавными буквами справа от каждого предложения. TEST 02 ( part 1) |
LAMBETH PALACE
B4 |
Lambeth Palace is a rare surviving example of a 13th century building. Built between 1207 and 1229, the palace __________________ the residence of the archbishops of Canterbury for almost 8 centuries now. |
BE |
B5 |
Throughout those centuries, many successive occupants of Lambeth Palace __________________ numerous alterations to the building. |
MAKE |
B6 |
Most of the archbishops were consecrated in the little chapel. It __________________ almost entirely after World War Two. |
REBUILD |
AVALANCHE HORROR
B7 |
Avalanches, also known as snowslides, are not a rare occasion in the mountains. A British family had a lucky escape in the Alps when an avalanche missed _____________ by 20 metres. |
THEY |
B8 |
Dan and Sue Bright, with their children Billy and Jemma, ______________ their future plans, when they heard an enormous roaring noise and tons of snow slid past. ‘We all love skiing, and this is such a beautiful place. We come here every year,’ said Dan Bright, ‘and we |
DISCUSS |
B9 |
‘We all love skiing, and this is such a beautiful place. We come here every year,’ said Dan Bright, ‘and we __________________ anything like this before.’ |
NOT EXPERIENCE |
B10 |
The family agreed that they _____________ back to the Alps to ski. |
COME |
Аудирование в формате ЕГЭ – Вариант 3 – АНГЛИЙСКИЙ в полном порядке
1 – 1
2 – 3
3 – 1
4 – 1
5 – 3
6 – 1
7 – 1
Presenter: Hi everyone and welcome to our programme, Youth Talk. Today our guest is careers advisor Martin Shaw, who’s going to discuss how he helps students find a career and a job. Thanks for joining us, Mr Shaw.
Speaker: I’m glad to be here. Please, call me Martin.
Presenter: Tell us what you do in your job, Martin.
Speaker: Well, I work for a university in their careers advice office. I meet with university students on a daily basis. Students make an appointment with me, which is free of charge and included in their student services package. I see about ten to twelve students a day, and we meet for around twenty minutes to half an hour.
Presenter: How do you help them find a career?
Speaker: For starters, I administer a questionnaire which determines their aptitudes. It asks them what skills they think they have, and it also asks them about their likes and dislikes, how well they get on with others, whether they like to work independently, and whether they’re self-motivated, highly organised, or very creative. They answer the questionnaire and I assess it at a later date.
Presenter: How do you assess the information they present to you?
Speaker: First I look at what subjects they’ve put down that seem to interest them the most. Keep in mind that sometimes they don’t know exactly what those are, so they might put down a wide range. Then, I take a look at their skills. If, for example, they’re interested in the arts, are highly creative and communicative, and like working with people, I might suggest a career in advertising.
Presenter: So you meet with students more than once, yes?
Speaker: Oh definitely. Firstly, I have to give them the results of their questionnaire, but really, I meet with them as often as they like. The goal is to get them on the right track. Sometimes a student comes back to me because they have second thoughts about their preferences, meaning they’ve realised they’d rather work alone than with other people, for example. That will obviously affect the advice I give them.
Presenter: I see. What other types of assistance do you give students?
Speaker: I help them with their CVs, to make sure they’re well-written and informative. I get them to bring a CV in at our first meeting, and I usually ask my assistant to look it over and make comments, which I review, Then I meet with the student again, usually when I give them their questionnaire results, and I give them some tips on how to improve their CV.
Presenter: Do you discuss interview techniques?
Speaker: I usually give them some information about the dos and don’ts of interviewing, and we discuss any questions they have. I’d like to do practice interviewing, but we simply don’t have the time or resources for that, which is a shame because students would find it very useful. I give them advice on how to answer tougher interview questions though, such as when an interviewer asks you what your weaknesses are.
Presenter: And what do you say to that?
Speaker: Well, obviously in an interview you should be truthful, but you would never want to say, “I hate getting up in the morning.” While that may be a true weakness, you can just imagine how that would go down in an interview! I urge students to think of a weakness that can actually be a strength. You could say that you tend to spend too much time on organising, so you have to stop for a moment and prioritise duties. This sounds impressive in an interview.
tonail.com
Чтение в формате ЕГЭ – вариант 5 – АНГЛИЙСКИЙ в полном порядке
The job of a butler
The job of a 21st century butler was underappreciated in society, but in carrying out the role Mr Wainwright found a type of magnificence which contradicted that lack of respect. His ability to be a silent yet highly perceptive presence amongst the upper classes, whilst performing his duties immaculately, was his proof.
He understood why he might be looked down upon by others; servitude wasn’t equated with prestige, unlike other jobs such as surgeon or architect. And society’s general disdain for the very privileged meant those who served them were like slaves to the enemy. He could leave his job at any time, however, and his salary rivalled his prestigious counterparts in the outside world’.
What he wasn’t allowed to do was be less than perfect. A butler was the boss of all the other service staff and he hadn’t arrived at the position overnight. The others around him – the valet, the footman, the hall boy – could make small mistakes and seemingly get away with it, that is until the earl took notice and had a word with Mr Wainwright, which he would pass on to them. The admonishment was more like a slap on the wrist, thanks to his kindly nature, however.
The butler had to know what was going to happen before it happened. Anticipation was the top job skill – not something you’re taught at school. It was a life lesson, one most people rarely learn. Even at butler training, this skill would be one you would just have to ‘pick up’. They’d tell you that you need to do this, but it was up to the individual to work out how they’d achieve it. Sacrificing your own needs to attend to the needs of others was a large part of it.
Besides being well paid for his service, there were certain other rewards for being a butler. The workspace was an elegant turn-of-the-century mansion, which Mr Wainwright admired deeply but had grown so accustomed to he took for granted, aside from its upkeep. The endless array of dignitaries that passed through the halls meant experiencing – if only from the sidelines – a slice of society most people would never come across. The butler’s living quarters were well furnished, if meagre in space. But the butler – in fact, all the staff – dined much like the nobility. They partook of the same fine meals that went upstairs, even if they consumed them downstairs.
That was what Mr Wainwright savoured the most.
Every bit as delicate as the household procedures was Mr Wainwright’s relationship with the earl. Their exchanges were often friendly, but it was understood that they were not ‘friends’, nor could Mr Wainwright ever wish for that. The lady of the house was technically the person he reported to. Lady Channing was the one who’d elevated him to his exalted position, and who would defend him against any of the earl’s misgivings about his service, of which there were few.
Mr Wainwright had settled on a life of service, disregarding other opportunities, not only because of his rare ability to serve others while remaining largely unseen, but also because of his deep-seated need to be needed himself. Praise, however, was rare in Channing Manor – the perfunctory ‘Thank you, Wainwright’ was as commonplace as afternoon tea. The very promotion from footman to butler had only included the words ‘I’d like you to be our butler’ followed by ‘This is what you will do’. It was years later, when Lady Channing, in a moment of humility, said, ‘I don’t know what I would do without you,’ that Mr Wainwright was reminded of his wise choice.
1. What does Mr Wainwright consider to be magnificent?
1) His position.
2) His duties.
3) People’s opinions.
4) His abilities.
2. In what way is Mr Wainwright’s job like a surgeon’s?
1) It is well paid.
2) People appreciate both jobs.
3) The duties are similar.
4) People look down on both jobs.
3. The phrase ‘slap on the wrist’ in the third paragraph means …
1) a severe punishment.
2) a light warning.
3) tapping someone’s hand with wood.
4) light praise.
4. How does a butler learn how to foresee his boss’s needs?
1) Through training.
2) From higher staff.
3) From the boss himself.
4) Through personal devotion.
5. ‘That’ in ‘That was what Mr Wainwright savoured the most’ in the fifth paragraph refers to …
1) the surroundings he dined in.
2) the food he dined on.
3) the people he dined with.
4) the manner in which he dined.
6. What is true about Mr Wainwright’s relationships with the Channings?
1) The earl defended him from Lady Channing.
2) Lady Channing deeply respected him.
3) He wished he was closer to the earl.
4) He and the earl often had problems.
7. Mr Wainwright was satisfied with being a butler because …
1) the lady had said many kind things to him over the years.
2) he enjoyed serving others without wanting anything in return.
3) a few small things were said to him on a daily basis.
4) he realised he was a valued and necessary part of something.
tonail.com
Чтение в формате ЕГЭ – вариант 1 – АНГЛИЙСКИЙ в полном порядке
Road trip
The second week of Sarah’s road trip proved to be problematic. Even though she had voiced concerns about her boyfriend’s ‘great idea’ of buying a used van to travel around in, she wasn’t about to say ‘I told you so’ when it broke down halfway across Kentucky.
She did, however, sigh when Josh asked if she would chip in for repairs. ‘I’m going to have to call my parents for this, you know,’ she said in a patient yet admonishing tone.
So the pair of them, accompanied by Sarah’s sister, Michelle, and a friend, Shane, were stranded for the next couple of days in Bardstown, population 11,700. They scrabbled to find something to do to entertain themselves while they waited for the engine part to arrive. They’d made sleeping arrangements at a quaint bed and breakfast near the historic district. It was either that or the row of bog standard, characterless motels out on the interstate highway that Sarah had convinced the others to avoid. ‘The mechanic said we should check out Bardstown. It might be pretty dull, but how bad can it be?’ she urged the group, not fully convinced they’d find something better. Michelle, who usually argued for the sake of it, was for once on board. The guys agreed.
Once the accommodation was taken care of, they set out for the bit of sightseeing that Bardstown had to offer. They perused the main road, with its dozen or so buildings that had survived from the town’s days as an early trading post. Each one had its own version of a knick-knack shop. They were charming, and contrary to Sarah’s gut feeling from before, there were much worse places to be stranded in.
They decided to enter one of the shops. Although more spacious than the others, it was still jam-packed with stuff. ‘Howdy, folks,’ the shop owner said as they entered, which was not so much ‘Welcome to Bardstown’ as ‘You break it, you buy it.’ Sarah suspected it was an age-appropriate comment, as they didn’t look like the most responsible bunch, despite the opposite being true in her case.
The shop was filled with the typical antique shop items: odd, mismatched china sets, silverware, wooden furniture, lampshades. The walls had dozens of old paintings only the painter could love and more stuffed birds than Sarah cared to see. The shop was void of people, eerily quiet, and even though she and Michelle found humour in the items, they kept their comments to themselves. The guys admired the old hunting rifles. ‘I hope there aren’t any bullets left in those,’ Michelle quipped, the words jarring the silence.
Less interested in gazing at objects, Sarah decided to strike up a conversation with the owner. ‘Have you lived here all your life?’ Sarah asked, imagining the answer to be ‘Yes.’
‘My parents were even born here. In fact, there might be more people in town I’m related to than not,’ the owner said, straight-faced. Sarah didn’t know what to make of that comment, but she politely laughed. ‘Where are you guys from?’ he asked. ‘Certainly not from around these parts.’
‘We’re from New Hampshire. On a road trip across America. We’re going to California,’ she said, wondering if she offered too much information, little as it was.
‘Oh, too many earthquakes out there for me,’ he said. ‘I’ll stay put.’
‘We were wondering where we should get something to eat. Any recommendations?’ she asked genuinely, but also because she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
‘Everything’s safe to eat around here, except the burger joint out on the highway, next to the mechanic. Worst place to eat around. Worst mechanic in town, too.’
1. How did Sarah feel about calling her parents for help?
1) Eager.
2) Put out.
3) Enraged.
4) Disinterested.
2. Regarding accommodation, Sarah was sure …
1) there was something better than on the highway.
2) that Bardstown would be entertaining.
3) the mechanic knew what he was talking about.
4) she didn’t want to stay on the highway.
3. What does the phrase ‘gut feeling’ in the fourth paragraph mean?
1) A moment of confusion.
3) A feeling of certainty.
2) Discomfort in the stomach.
4) An initial attitude or belief.
4. The shop owner greeted the group with …
1) a humorous tone.
2) genuine kindness.
3) suspicion.
4) a salesman-like attitude.
5. Sarah thought that the paintings in the shop were …
1) attractive.
2) all very similar.
3) all by the same artist.
4) ugly.
6. Sarah laughed at what the shop owner said because she …
1) found it to be funny.
2) felt a bit nervous.
3) assumed he was joking.
4) thought of something funny.
7. How was Sarah likely to feel at the end of the last paragraph?
1) Relieved.
2) Concerned.
3) Amused.
4) Confident.
tonail.com
Чтение в формате ЕГЭ – вариант 2 – АНГЛИЙСКИЙ в полном порядке
Surviving an avalanche
Surviving an avalanche was not on Thomas’s list of things to do in life. A thrill-seeker of epic proportions, he had jumped from a helicopter to ski remote mountain slopes and traversed half of Antarctica on a cross-country skiing adventure. If only his wisdom of doing things in packs hadn’t failed him on the day of his accident.
He had ventured out alone before, and in any case, most of the ski ranges around his mountain home were littered with forest rangers whose job was to help stranded hikers. So a solo trip by an experienced skier wasn’t the most dangerous of adventures.
Every seasoned skier is aware of both the risks and the joys involved with skiing off-piste. It’s a different experience from the snow that’s been packed down into hard ice by the hundreds of other skiers who have already crossed over it. Movements occur almost in slow-motion as the skier glides in and out of the piles of powder. It’s an exhausting challenge that requires effort from the skier’s whole body, but a unique one that hooks a skier after just one run.
Thomas even had special equipment for this particular type of skiing. His well-worn pair of traditional skis wouldn’t be sufficient, so he’d expended an extra two hundred pounds on a wider set of blades especially made for skiing in powder.
And it wasn’t as if safety was the last thing on his mind. He’d brought his avalanche kit in case of emergencies. He wore an airbag that would help to keep him near the surface if he pulled the cord in time, and another device which would assist him with breathing under snow. The rescue service’s number was programmed into his mobile phone, and his avalanche transceiver – which emits an emergency signal – was equipped with fully-charged batteries.
Thomas’s run that day was in familiar territory. He had always skied with a trusted ski buddy, with never an incident to report. Perhaps he had been lulled into a false sense of security. In fact, he had intended to ski with a friend that morning. When his friend couldn’t make it, Thomas considered not going himself, but the snow on the mountain had fallen just the night before, and the lure was too intense.
His run was a wide, bare track of slope nestled between two pine forests – a real skier’s delight, and quite popular with the locals as well.
They say an avalanche is like a sleeping giant, waiting to be woken up by even the slightest of nudges. Thomas gave this giant more than a nudge – he skied right over it and before he knew it, he was skiing on top of it as it slid down the mountain along with him. And if you ski on top of the giant’s mouth, it’s likely to swallow you whole.
As Thomas sank beneath powder, through his acute panic he managed to pull the cord on his airbag. The roar of the giant fell silent seconds later, and from beneath the snow it was as if morning had turned to night. Thomas tried to reach his phone, but his arm might as well have been cast in concrete. Lying still, his panic slowly shifting to an eerie peacefulness, he did his best to keep his chin up. He even began to enjoy the dark solitude, even though he knew he might never be found. Luckily for him, the giant had caught the attention of others, and the transceiver was doing the job it was designed to do.
1. What are the ‘packs’ that the author refers to in the first paragraph?
1) Types of snow.
2) Regions or areas.
3) Groups of people.
4) Ski manoeuvres.
2. Why didn’t Thomas think his solo ski run would be very risky?
1) There were personnel to help in case of trouble.
2) He wasn’t aware of the potential dangers.
3) He had been on more dangerous ski adventures.
4) He believed powder to be easier to ski on than packed ice.
3. Skiers who ski on powder for the first time …
1) often never do it again.
2) find it to be relaxing.
3) fall in love with the experience.
4) often get stuck in the snow.
4. What is true about Thomas’s avalanche kit?
1) The airbag would help him breathe.
2) The airbag would inflate automatically.
3) He had an emergency number written down.
4) Some items required electric power to function.
5. Why did Thomas particularly want to ski that day?
1) It was pre-arranged with his friend.
2) He wanted to ski alone.
3) The area was beautiful.
4) The weather conditions were ideal.
6. An avalanche is compared to a sleeping giant because …
1) it’s not usually dangerous.
2) it can quickly spring into life.
3) it’s a huge spectacle.
4) it can easily kill people.
7. The expression ‘keep his chin up’ in the last paragraph means …
1) stay positive.
2) keep breathing.
3) raise his head.
4) avoid making movements.
tonail.com
Аудирование в формате ЕГЭ – Вариант 1 – АНГЛИЙСКИЙ в полном порядке
1 – 2
2 – 3
3 – 1
4 – 3
5 – 2
6 – 3
7 – 1
Presenter: Hi everyone and welcome to our programme, Awesome Job! Today we have John Stone with us to talk about his work in ecotourism. John, welcome to the show.
Speaker: Thanks for having me.
Presenter: Tell us some things about your job and what your company does.
Speaker: I work as a tour guide for a company called Go Green Tourism. We specialise in tours to unique habitats with rich biodiversity. We organise very small tours, for maybe 20 people or less, so that the environment remains protected, and our destinations are mainly tropical regions in South America and most recently South-East Asia. We travel to our destination and stay at a local village near the habitat, which is where we eat and sleep. Then we go on a guided walking tour of a rainforest and we educate our travelling companions about the different flora and fauna of the area.
Presenter: So you have to be well-trained in plant and animal sciences to give one of these tours, yes?
Speaker: That’s right. Typically the tour guides have a degree in biology or botany, or a master’s in forest conservation, something like that. My specific educational background is in zoo management, but I saw an advert for this job and decided I wanted to give it a try. I’ve learned a great deal more about the natural environment through this work, which I’m happy about.
Presenter: Is ecotourism safe for the environment, in your opinion?
Speaker: We do our very best to ensure that any place we visit is left virtually untouched. Our ecotravellers must attend a seminar before we embark on our journey in order to learn the dos and don’ts of the trip. People who sign up for these tours are quite conscious of the environment to begin with.
Presenter: Does your company participate in environment protection programmes?
Speaker: I’m glad you asked that, because yes, we do. Part of our profits go to awareness programmes aimed at educating people about the rainforests and their value as a resource. Most people don’t realise that without rainforests, we wouldn’t be able to survive.
Presenter: There is also the problem of rainforests being cut down, isn’t there?
Speaker: Yes, we also provide funds for organisations that fight illegal logging and land clearing in Brazil. These organisations work with the Brazilian government and although it’s a continuous battle, they have made progress in recent years in protecting land.
Presenter: That’s good to know. What sorts of things do people get to see in the rainforests, besides plants and animals of course?
Speaker: Oh, many things. We visit dazzling waterfalls, and pristine lakes and rivers. We also visit the native peoples who live in or near the rainforests – the ones who are welcoming to visitors anyway! So there is also a cultural exchange that takes place between the ecotravellers and the locals. I’ve even picked up a few words of the locals’ languages, which is really cool. Of course, I’m a long way off being fluent!
Presenter: And do you just visit rainforests?
Speaker: Well, the company is only about eight years old, so the focus has been rainforest regions mainly in Brazil, but as I said before, we do visit South-East Asia, which we started doing a couple of years ago. But I’m excited to say that we are planning to expand our operations to regions in Africa, such as the Serengeti and Madagascar. Business has been booming for ecotourism, so hopefully that trend will continue, for us and for other environmentally-conscious organisations…
tonail.com