From the History of Cambridge University.
Task 1. Fill in the gaps in the text choosing the correct answers given below.
Example: He …1… a lovely holiday in the country last year.
a) bought b) had c) passed d)gave
Answer: 1. b
Cambridge is famous …1… the world as one of the two oldest university cities in Britain — Oxford, of course, is the other. Its streets are packed with students going about their business on bicycles.
The story of the University began in 1209 when students and scholars ...2... the little town of Cambridge after they had walked 60 miles from Oxford. These students had been students in Oxford where was constant trouble between the people living in the town and the students. Then one day astudent accidentally killed a man of the town. The Mayor arrested three ...3... students who were innocent and they ...4... death. In protest all the students moved ...5..., some coming to Cambridge, and so the new University began.
1. a) through b)on c) throughout d) out of
2. a) arrived in b) reached in c) arrived to d) was arrived at
3. a) another b) the other c) others d) other
4. a) put it b) were put to c) put to d) were put at
5. a) anywhere b) to somewhere c) in nowhere d) elsewhere
Task 2. Choose the best answer to each question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the text.
1. Which of the following is not true?
a) Cambridge and Oxford are the oldest universities in Britain.
b) You can see a few students going about their business on bicycles in Cambridge.
c) The first students and scholars came to Cambridge in 1209.
d) The first students of Cambridge were the former students of Oxford.
2. How did the story of Cambridge University begin?
a) It began as soon as the first settlers of the little town of Cambridge arrived.
b) The story dates back to 1209 when students from London University had to leave it and move to Cambridge.
c) The story of Cambridge University was connected with the events in Oxford in 1209 when the students there decided to leave the city. .
d) The story of Cambridge University began when the Mayor of Oxford asked the students from Oxford University to move to Cambridge.
3. What do you think about the relations that were among the citizens of Oxford and the students of Oxford University? Which of these words describes it best?
a) peaceful b) warlike c) good-neighbourly d) diplomatic
4. What happened in Oxford one day in 1209?
a) One day a student decided to kill a citizen of Oxford and killed him.
b) Once a citizen of Oxford killed a student.
c) It so happened that a student from Oxford University killed a citizen of Oxford — he didn't do it on purpose.
d) The Mayor of Oxford killed a student.
5. What made the students of Oxford University leave Oxford?
a) The accident that took place in Oxford in 1209 — the arrest and death of innocent students.
b) The fact that the Mayor arrested the guilty students.
c) Cambridge University was better than Oxford University.
d) The Mayor of Oxford asked them to do it.
Text 2.
Doing your homework.
| Task 1. Read the text in task 4 quickly to find out what it is about. Choose the best title for the text. 1. There is no success without effort. 2. How to do your homework without effort. 3. How to become a perfect student. Task 2. Read paragraphs 1-3 in the text carefully. Choose the correct answer: a, b or с 1. What is paragraph 1 about? a) The necessity to plan your work. b) The best place to do homework. с) Creating the best working conditions. 2. What is paragraph 2 about? a) Buying school materials. b) Making notes. с) Keeping your papers in order. 3. What does paragraph 3 tell you? a) When to do homework. b) Where to do it. с) How to do it. 3 Now read paragraphs 4-8. Underline each sentence that contains a piece of advice. | Task 4. Read this leaflet giving advice on doing your homework. Match headings A-I to paragraphs 1-8. There is one heading you will not need to use. 1. …………………………. It’s possible to get your homework done even if you have a busy schedule – if you decide in advance what you have to do. On Sunday or Monday, jot down your activities for the upcoming week in a notebook and then include a time for homework for each day. 2. …………………………. Buy a folder for each of your classes. Divide it into three sections: notes, homework, and tests. Always put papers in the correct section. 3. …………………………. Forget about doing your homework in front of the TV. Find a quiet place that's well-lit, where you can concentrate without getting distracted. 4. You won't get any work done if you're hungry. Your brain needs energy to work effectively! Drink plenty of water, and snack on some fruit or cookies to get more strength. 5. …………………………. Begin with your best subject. Your success will give you a feeling of satisfaction that will help you deal with your weaker subjects later. 6. …………………………. If you've started your Science homework, finish it! Don't leave one part of your homework unfinished to start another - you may not remember all those Chemistry formulas when you come back. 7. …………………………. Take at least a five-minute break when you feel tired. The rest will re-energise you so you'll be able to finish your work. 8. …………………………. Homework is rarely an exciting thing to do. But it's your top priority, and you have to get it done. Accepting this fact will help you deal with homework effectively. A Start strong В Complete each task С Plan ahead D Eat for energy E Just do it! F Keep things in order G Talk to an expert H Take a break I Find the right place |
Text 3.
How to Boost Your Memory.
Task 1. Fill in the gaps in the text choosing the correct answers given below.
Are you forgetful? There's a tremendous range of methods to boost your memory.
Your memory is like a brilliant, but ...1... computer storing a vast amount of information. In fact the memory's capacity is theoretically unlimited. ...2... only about 20 per cent of our daily experience is registered, and of that only a tiny proportion is loaded into long-term memory.
Normal healthy people can improve their memories easily. First of all learn to relax if you are trying to memorize something. You may ...3... important items if your mind is on something else or if you weren't paying attention because of anxiety. Try to combine study with exercise. Keep your mind fit ...4... your body by doing mental workouts. Crosswords, scrabbles and quizzes all help to keep the mind in shape. You can also train your memory in certain ...5.... The ancient Greeks invented memory systems called mnemonics, and they still work today. Most systems involve associating the things you want to remember with something you already have safely stored in your head. For example, if you want to remember numbers try to make associations between numbers in sequence – think of people's ages, special dates, whether they're odd or even.
1. a) unreliable b) expensive с) reasonable d) powerful
2. a) Besides b) Moreover c) Likewise d) Nevertheless
3. a) catch b) pickup c) miss d) get
4. a) alike b) as well as c) well as d) or
5. a) ways b) tricks c) methods d) schemes
Task 2. Choose the one best answer to each question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the text.
1. Which of the following is not true?
a) Unbounded ability of people's memory can be developed or trained.
b) Memory's capacity is theoretically unlimited but practically it is restricted to 20% of what is loaded into long-term memory.
c) People's memory can be compared with a computer storing information.
d) To get rid of forgetfulness one can use a series of methods.
2. Relaxation may:
a) be helpful when memorizing something.
b) be an important item if your mind is on something else.
c) keep your body fit for scrabbles, crosswords and quizzes.
d) combine study with exercise.
3. What are memory systems mostly based on?
a) Sequence of numbers. b) Mnemonics. c) Associations. d) Safe storage of information.
4. What title could you give to the story?
a) Memorial systems of ancient Greeks still at work.
b) How to boost your memory.
c) Long life to long-term memory.
d) Forget-me-not: unlimited capacity of memory.
5. The word capacity means:
a) a feature of forgetful people.
b) an ability to receive, hold or absorb.
c) characteristics of memorabilia.
d) horizons of unlimited memory.
Text 4.
Evening Entertainment.
Task: People in the left column want to do an evening activity. In the right column there are eight ideas for evening activities. Decide which activity would be the most suitable for the following people.
 1. Mandy works until 8 p.m. every evening except for Wednesdays when she works until 10 p.m. She would like to join some kind of exercise class twice a week.  2. Simon plays the guitar in a band. He has always played rock music but has never had lessons. He would now like to learn how to play classical music.  3. Jim wants to meet people. He doesn't want to do a sport and he's not interested in languages. He'd like to do something educational.  4. Liz enjoys art and literature. She's not a very active person and doesn't drive. She enjoys talking to people and doesn't want to do anything too academic.  5. Kate would like to take some exercise but doesn't want to join a regular class. She would like to make new friends through a sporting activity. | A. Getting fit doesn't have to be dull. Work out to the sound of your favourite music with a group of keen, active people and top trainers. Classes on Mondays and Wednesdays 7 p.m. -8 p.m. В. Study French at all levels with qualified teachers. We have regular French cultural social events both on site and at other local places of interest, including restaurant and cinema trips. We also hold a yearly French weekend away. Contact us for details of class times. С. We'd like to set up a team of keen volleyball players for fun matches with other leisure centres. Don't worry if you've never played, we'll show you how. Sessions: Wednesdays and Fridays 7.30 p.m. -8.30 p.m. Lots of time off the court for weekend social events too. D. Study classical music - learn about the history of classical music and about many famous composers. Enjoy frequent visits to concerts and meals afterwards to discuss your ideas. Classes take place on Tuesdays 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visits to concerts are usually arranged for weekends. E. If you want to try something different why not have a go at swimming pool aerobics? Our classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.30 p.m. — 9.00 p.m. Swimming pool aerobics is an excellent and enjoyable way to keep fit and is recommended for people of all ages. F. Join our friendly walking group for walks in the countryside. We are a fairly experienced crowd, so please make sure you have the right equipment and the right level of fitness. We don't want to leave you behind! Walks arranged every other weekend. G. One to one teaching — piano, violin, guitar, trumpet, etc. Take the opportunity to practise basic skills and then move on to more difficult classical pieces. Reasonable prices. Hours are arranged with individual tutors. H. Join our reading group for relaxed discussions. All you have to do is read a book a week and be prepared to invite a group of friendly people into your home for a chat about books. Every Monday night. |
Text 5.