Seventeen: What was going through your head when all of this was happening?

AM: At first, I tried to keep it in and not tell anyone except for my friends because I thought that it'd finish after the first few weeks, but this happened all year. So finally, I told my mum, I told her everything. She talked to the administration, and they brought the girls in and talked to them about it. The girls were punished. So you just have to bring it to the attention of adults.

Seventeen: In spite of all this, you still managed to make it to the Miss Teen USA competition and win it. How did you find the confidence to go for it?

AM: You just have to ignore it and have confidence in yourself. I was a three - sport athlete – hockey, soccer, and volleyball – and I gave them up to do my modelling career.

Seventeen: What's your advice for girls dealing with bullies today?

AM: Stay confident and know that this is not the end of the world, that you are not going to be in high school for the rest of your life. There are mean girls wherever you go, but you don't need to be with them when you get older. You're not in a classroom with them, you're not eating lunch with them, so look past it and know that it's going to end. Looking back, I'd say you just need to focus on what you want to achieve and not let people get in your way or upset you. Also, tell a trusted adult, tell all your friends, tell anyone you can. If you keep it inside, it's just going to eat you.

2. Mary was cruelly bullied. Read aloud the extract which says about it.

3. How did she react to bullying?

4. What advice does she give to other children?

II.Listen to three speakers talking about travelling and answer the questions below.

1. What are Maggy’s favourite places in London?

2. What are they going to do in the evening?

3. Why does Alex want to go to a café?

Maggy: Hey, Alex! I’ve got an idea. I can show you my favourite place in London.

Alex: Sure, Maggy, I’d like to see that, but where is it exactly?

Maggy: Look beyond the people. What do you see?

Alex: Well, there’s a beautiful building over there! It looks like a palace. What is it? Maggy: It’s Buckingham Palace! And all those people are waiting for the Changing of the Guard. It’s 11 o’clock so the ceremony will start soon.

Alex: Does this ceremony take place every day?

Maggy: It’s held daily only from April to August, when there are lots of tourists. But we aren’t going to watch it right now; we’re going to the park which is opposite the palace. Alex: Let me guess. We must be in St. James’s Park now!

Maggy: Good guess! You’re right, it’s St. James’s Park, which is a popular place to walk, feed the ducks or watch the pelicans.

Alex: Those people on the lawn seem to be having a picnic. Is it possible to have picnics in London parks?

Maggy: Sure, but you should follow certain rules.

Alex: Okay. What is the magnificent style building opposite the lake?

Maggy: This is St. James’s Palace. And behind it, there is an entertainment area of Piccadilly Circus with lots of pubs and cafes. If you like, we can go there later in the evening.

Alex: That’s a wonderful idea! But honestly, I’m starving and wouldn’t mind having a bite right now.

Maggy: Then let’s go to the cafe and have a snack.

III.

1) Let's talk about national cuisine of an English-speaking country. What do people eat in Britain?

2) Do you know many recipes?

3) What questions can you ask a waiter when you are ordering a meal in a cafe?

4) My friend wants to know more about national cuisines. Which national dishes would you recommend him to taste?

5) A lot of pupils refuse to have meals at school. What do you think about it?

Билет №13

I.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?

II.Listen to three speakers talking about travelling and answer the questions below.

1. Why do many people travel today according to the first speaker?

2. How does the second speaker describe people who never travel?

3. What can a person gain travelling to other countries according to the third speaker?

Speaker 1:Lots of people believe that travel broadens the mind. A friend of mine went to Cyprus and when he came back, he complained that he could not find English food and everything was so foreign! If one travels with that kind of attitude, one never learns anything about other places and people. Today many people travel not in order to learn, but to ‘have a good time’ and usually on their terms.

Speaker 2:I’ve just got back from a trip to Japan and what Ilearned by just being there is more than I’ve ever learned on the internet. Talking to some locals, I learned more than school, or internet could teach me. Travel lets you see other people’s lives, cultures, customs and traditions from different parts of the world. Travel educates you and makes you knowledgeable. I think that people who never leave their countries are narrow-minded and ignorant.

Speaker 3: I feel sad for those people who have never travelled outside of their own hometown. There’s a whole world of different cultures to meet out there, ninety-nine per cent of which you can’t have by just sitting in the living room in front of the TV. When you travel to other countries you can see, feel and touch other ways of living. Some places will shock you, others will please you. You will then appreciate your own life and see things in a different way.

III.

1) Let’s talk about shopping. Who does the shopping in your family?

2) Is Minsk a shopper's paradise? Why (not)?

3) What questions will you ask your friend who has bought an expensive telephone?

4) What can you advise a teenager who wants to buy a birthday present for his/her friend?

5) Some teenagers think that parents should pay them for doing their household chores. Do you share their opinion?

Билет №14

I.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!"

2. The author describes some department stores that are popular with shoppers. Find this extract and read it aloud.

3. What does John like about shopping?

4. Why is Greenwich interesting to visit?

II. Listen to three speakers talking about losing weight and answer the questions below.

1. What does the first speaker advise to do if you want to lose weight?
2. What is the mistake many people make trying to lose weight?
3. Why is it necessary to exercise according to the third speaker?

Speaker 1: Throw away gas or electric cooker. Also throw away salt. Get as many fruit and vegetables as you can. Try to drink as much water as possible as it increases the rate at which you burn calories. Cut out soda and limit fruit juices, most of which are high calorie. Carry on normal work. I followed this diet continuously for six months. In the end I lost 23 kg. I did morning walks, cycling, but no other physical exercise.

Speaker 2:You should know that there is no safe way to lose weight quickly, the mistake is if you lose weight very quickly, you will be a lot less likely to keep it off. So, definitely try to lose weight gradually, but don’t plan on losing overnight. This is the most important and the first aspect of getting your perfect body shape. If you have a lot of weight to lose, try for 5 pounds, relax a bit, then go for 5 more.

Speaker 3:The first thing I would suggest is to believe in yourself, and love yourself. The key to weight loss is simple — you should burn more than you take in! Walk the dog, join a health club, take up jogging. Whatever you do, you’ve got to move your body as much as possible if you want to lose weight.

III.

1) Let’s talk about leisure time. What do you do in your free time?

2) Is cinema still important? Why (not)?

3) What questions can you ask a British friend about his/her hobbies?

4) Can you recommend me to watch one of the films you have seen recently?

5) Many parents complain that children don't read books. Why do you think children are not interested in reading?

Билет №15

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

UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES

One of the world's leading universities has just begun to celebrate its 800th anniversary.

Cambridge University, in the UK, was founded in 1209. On 17th January it held a special outdoor celebration to launch a year of events marking its 800th birthday.

The University was founded by scholars from another English university, Oxford. Nobody is exactly sure why they moved to Cambridge. One record shows it happened when two Oxford scholars were arrested and then convicted of murdering a local woman. Other students protested their arrest by leaving the university and going to other towns. It was a group of these scholars that set up a university in Cambridge.

Originally only men were allowed to study at Cambridge. From 1869 women were permitted to study there, but they were not awarded degrees. Women at Cambridge were first awarded degrees in 1947.

Some of the most important discoveries in history have been made by people studying at Cambridge University. The jet engine was invented there. Scientists at Cambridge discovered the structure of human DNA. More than 80 winners of the Nobel Prize, and 15 of Britain's prime ministers, have been graduates of Cambridge University.

Many students from Cambridge University have become famous for becoming among the best in their fields of work. Authors C. S. Lewis, who wrote the Narnia books, and A. A. Milne, who wrote Winnie-the-Pooh, also studied at the university.

On 17th January about 7,000 people gathered in the centre of Cambridge to watch a light show celebrating the anniversary. Images and illustrations were projected onto one of the famous university buildings, the Senate House. A piece of music containing exactly 800 notes was played from the nearby Great St Mary's Church.

Cambridge is usually ranked among the top five universities in the world for its standard of research and teaching. Today, around 18,000 students study at Cambridge University.

2. The author says how the university was founded. Find this extract and read it aloud.

3. What important discoveries were made at Cambridge?

4. Why is Cambridge University considered one of the best in the world?

II. Listen to the recording and answer the questions below.

1)What does Sara want to become?

2) How did she find out about the audition?

3) Why was this performance special for Sara?

Sara has always wanted to be famous. When she was only four years old, she said to her parents “I’m going to be a star when I grow up.” Her parents laughed. Sara’s dreams were just dreams for years, but now those dreams are coming true, thanks to the power of television.

Sara is lucky: she is an attractive young woman, and she can sing. She has taken singing and dancing lessons since she could walk. When she was seventeen, Sara’s big chance came. She saw an advertisement in a national newspaper: “Singers wanted for a new musical band. This is going to be bigger than the Spice Girls!” Sara rang the number straight away. The first audition was in London, and she was there at six o’clock in the morning, practising her song. She had been to auditions* before but this one was different — it was on TV! People all over the country watched Sara singing. She didn’t mind the cameras — she was too excited about being on TV. Sara was the viewers’ favourite.

Some people think that the band will never be successful. “It’s not a real band,” they say. But Sara isn’t worried about her future. “I’m famous now, and it doesn’t matter how I got here. I’m here to stay!”

III.

1) Let’s talk about Belarusian customs and traditions. What can you tell me about your favourite Belarusian holiday?

2) Are you proud of our national holidays and traditions?

3) What questions can you ask a friend about his/her last New Year celebration?

4) What national souvenirs will you recommend a tourist to buy in Belarus?

5) Do you think it is important to follow our grandparents' traditions? Why?