The author says what the film is about. Find this extract and read it aloud

3. What does the director want to show in the film?

4. Why can this film be interesting for the viewer?

№ 44

1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.

SHAKESPEARE'S PORTRAIT?

A painting has been discovered that experts say is a picture of one of the world's best-known writers, William Shakespeare. He is thought to have written at least 36 plays, which include the world-famous Hamlet, Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet. Yet surprisingly little is known about Shakespeare's life, the way he worked, or what he looked like.

Shakespeare was born in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in England in 1564. He left the town when he was about 20, leaving behind a wife and three children. After this period he worked as an actor and writer of plays in London. In 1594 he helped form a new theatre company and wrote plays for the next 20 years. After this he retired to Stratford-upon-Avon where he died in 1616. He is buried in a local church.

Several portraits exist that are supposed to be those of Shakespeare's. Yet many experts think these paintings are probably pictures of someone else, or were painted at least 100 years after Shakespeare died.

The Shakespeare expert and the owner of the newly-discovered painting say they are 90 % sure it is of William Shakespeare. Alec Cobbe owns the painting. It has been in his family's possession since the early 1700s. They did not know who the person in the painting was. A few years ago Mr Cobbe went to a Shakespeare exhibition and saw a painting of Shakespeare called the Janssen portrait. He was amazed by how similar it was to the painting owned by his family. He took his painting to a Shakespeare expert. Since then it has been dated and X-rayed. They now believe it was painted in 1610, when Shakespeare was 46 years old — six years before he died. Mr Cobbe thinks he could prove the portrait was originally owned by the Earl of Southampton, who supported Shakespeare when he was writing his plays.

Other experts are not so sure whether it really is a portrait of Shakespeare. This, they say, is because there is no proof the Janssen portrait is actually a picture of Shakespeare either!

2. The author gives some facts about Shakespeare's life. Find this extract and read it aloud.

3. What facts prove that the painting can be a portrait of William Shakespeare?

4. Why do some people doubt that this is a portrait of Shakespeare?

№ 45

1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.

SHOPPING IN LONDON

John tells us a hit more about shopping in London... "When I visit London one of my favourite things to do is shopping! I really enjoy hunting around for a bargain in the sales, buying something new to wear out on a Saturday night. Or alternatively, a bit of window-shopping — it doesn't cost a penny. Sometimes I'll spend hours just wandering around a market having a chat with my friends. There are loads of different places to go shopping in London. You can go to Oxford Street, but be warned, it gets too busy sometimes; it can be difficult to go anywhere! Alternatively for a less crowded, more relaxing shopping experience, go to Covent Garden, you can have an expensive cappuccino, and watch some (free) street theatres at the same time.

Some people like shopping in department stores, the most famous one in London is 'Harrods', but for me, it's not modern enough, and too expensive, the sort of place your parents shop. But just down the road is 'Harvey Nies', much more up-to-date, but not cheap. The best of all the big department stores is 'Selfridges' in Oxford Street, it's a shopper's paradise, nice clothes, and the prices. Well I can look, can't I?

You can also try Camden, it's busy, exciting, trendy, and there are lots of bargains! You can buy cheap jeans and cool second hand clothes in the morning and then get a tattoo and a body piercing later on! If all that shopping is too tiring, you can get some Chinese or Thai food for ?2 or ?3, sit by the canal and have a drink. What could be better?

If Camden is not cultured enough, you might prefer a day in Greenwich — a world heritage site. This is a much more relaxing day out. You can have a walk round the market and shops, and then take in a bit of London's history — it was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Queen Mary and Elizabeth I. There's also the park, the 'Cutty Sark' (an old tea clipper ship), the meridian line (where east meets west), and the old observatory... so much to do, but don't forget the shopping!"