Bilet 1

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. Why can elderly people enjoy a night at the disco ?
3. What can one find in a disco ?
4. Do you like going to the disco ? Why ?

Lively discos attract many people. Teenagers who love to dance spend hours there. Have you
ever been to a disco? The lights, the music and even the noise creates a unique atmosphere and
even elderly people enjoy a night in a disco. Discos are safe places, because usually there are
bodyguards who take care that people who like to dance and enjoy music find the nice place to
be in. You will always find pals in the disco, teenagers having the same age, dreams, hobbies;
you can meet people of "your generation".

Bilet 2

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. How is the music of the 1950s and 1960s characterized ?
3. Who was Elvis Priesley ?
4. What kind of music do you like ?

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, the big sound in music was a blend of warm voices and steady
rhythms. In time, Californian beach sound drifted away and soon it became popular throughout
the world. Groups like the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean created an easy summer feeling
completed with the roar of the surf. The carefree and sentimental lyrics and the pleasant harmony
were the background of the happy mood that covered the world of music in that period. Little by
little, the rhythm changed and Elvis Priesley was the one that combined soul with rock.

Bilet 3

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. What is sold, in the author's opinion ?
3. Replace the word "commercial" with a synonym.
4. What is your opinion on commercials?

Advertisers use many interesting techniques to promote their products. Consider man's cologne
for example. The commercial that advertises it may tell you very little about the cologne. Instead,
your attention is focused on all the women who are chasing after the lucky man wearing the
cologne. The product is not what is being sold. You, the consumers, are being sold! Whenever
you watch television, or listen to the radio you are tempted by luring images and sounds. The
message is simply this: if you buy the product, you will be irresistible to women, or your cake
will be delicious or you will look like a movie star. Think about it!

Bilet 4

Answer the following questions after reading the text :

1. What is the text about ?

2. What is the most important change mentioned here ?
3. Replace the word "mend" with a synonym.
4. Do you agree with the idea of the text ?

Many changes are taking place in the way in which men and women look at their roles in
society. It is no longer unusual to find a male nurse or a female builder or worker. Perhaps the
greatest change that has taken place in the family is in the parents' attitude toward bringing up
children. No longer do we insist that little boys play with trucks and grow up to be doctors, while
little girls play with dolls and grow up to be housewives. Changes like these do not occur
overnight or even in a few years because they involve fundamental changes in attitude and
behaviour. The future adults must use the computer, mend a car, cook dinner, or take care of a
baby irrespective of their sex.

Bilet 5

Answer the following questions after reading the text :

1. What is the text about ?

2. What did parents complain about ?
3. What was the cause of this ?
4. Do you agree with the last sentence in the text ?

A few years ago it was fashionable to speak of a generation gap, a division between young
people and their elders. Parents complained that children did not show them respect and
obedience, while children complained that their parents did not understand them at all. What had
gone wrong? One important cause of the generation gap is the opportunity that young people
have to choose their own life-style. In more traditional societies, where children grow up, they
are expected to live in the same area and in the same style with their parents. But now the old
and the young seem to live in two different worlds.

Bilet 6
Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text contrast ?

2. What are the advantages of supermarkets ?
3. What are the advantages of small shops ?
4. Do you like shopping in a supermarket ?

In the past few years a lot of small shops have been forced to close down because of the changes
in public shopping habits and the increasing popularity of supermarkets.
We cannot deny that supermarkets have certain advantages. Firstly, they offer a wide variety of
goods at low prices. Furthermore, they create jobs for a great number of people thus helping to
reduce unemployment. In addition to this they are ideal for those shoppers who do not have time
to visit more than one shop in order to do their weekly shopping.
On the other hand, small local shops offer certain benefits that supermarkets will never be able to
do. Small shops are ideal for emergency shopping, generally stay open later than supermarkets
and offer friendly service.
In conclusion, it is time we really started to make an effort to save our small shops before it is
too late.

Bilet 7

Answer the following questions after reading the text :

1. What is the text about ?

2. What is junk food ?
3. What does the author find surprising ?
4. Do you often eat junk food ?

In today's last moving world, people have less and less time to spend eating and cooking. This is
probably why junk food has become so popular.
But junk food is not the best thing for your health because it is high saturated fat, which has been
associated with a greater risk of cancer. The best advice then for those who cannot live without
their hamburger and chocolate bars is to limit the amount of junk food they eat.
Another alarming thing about people's lifestyles today is that while the amount of junk food has
increased, the amount of exercise we do has actually decreased.
Even though people nowadays are more aware of the importance of exercise and a healthy diet
than they were a few years ago, the new unhealthy way of life is surprisingly popular.
Researchers show that the new generation will suffer from heart and liver diseases.

Bilet 8

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text describes ?
2. What are the author's feelings ?
3. Paraphrase the word "gradually".
4. Give your opinion on pets.

From all the dogs roaming the world, unwanted, unloved, I had to give my affection to a half-
bred dingo, the wild dog of the Australian outback. This bitch that became mine, gradually
digging her way into my heart with her natural skill and loving ways, was no beauty, except in
my eyes. She was lop-eared, long-legged, her fur hard, yellow from her dingo and kelpie
forebears, this last breed being the sheep dog reared on so many sheep stations for their working
strain. Her golden eyes were her one redeeming feature; their shining depth showed a fine
intelligence. As a pup she displayed no sign of the killer instinct of the dingo, the reason they are
hated, hunted, trapped and poisoned on the big cattle and sheep stations.
Bilet 9

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. How did Renwick indicate he was a busy man ?
3. Replace the word "glance" with a synonym.
4. Are you a polite person ?

Renwick counted himself a polite man. Lately, however, he had given in to this habit, common
to persons of consequence in the city, of glancing at his watch - and often while people were
actually talking to him. He believed that he was indicating in the politest possible way that he
was a very busy man, that even in summer his time was limited. But as the habit grew not only
visitors but even friends began to see the wrist shoot out, no longer surreptitiously but very
openly. Those who still hung around after that had only themselves to blame.

Bilet 10

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What was Renwick asked to do ?

2. Did he accept ?
3. Replace the words "set foot" with a synonym.
4. Do you like taking visitors around your town ?

Later, however, he was asked if he would help a friend out with four visitors who had been
staying in the city and, with little warning, were to land on him for twelve hours. The friend had
to be out of town on the evening of that day. Could Renwick possibly take them round for half an
hour or so ? Yes, he could do that. When the time came they turned out to be two middle-aged
couples from the south who had not set foot in the city before this visit.

Bilet 11

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. How many people are mentioned in the text ?
3. Replace the world "handed" with a synonym.
4. What do you think is the relationship between the people in the house ?

I crossed the road and watched the windows from behind another tree. The lights went on in a
room in one of the middle floors. She walked over the balcony doors and looked out. He was
pouring drinks at the sideboard: I could just see the tops of an armada of bottles. He handed her a
glass and she took it without looking at him. Maybe he put music on because she started moving
her hips. She was still watching the length of the street. Could she have seen me ? But if she was
hoping for another look to confirm it really had been me, she gave up soon enough. She pivoted
on her high heels, swinging round in her skills to give herself to whatever domestic life they
lived now like tamed savages in the quiet heart of Chelsea.

Bilet 12

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. What are the children building ?
3. Can you estimate the children's age ?
4. Have you ever played like this with your friends ?

It took a few days to build. It also gave Alan unlicensed access to my garden. At the weekend my
father found us lenghts of wood he hammered together to make a platform, with four more
planks for a balustrade on each side. (Banging away, he told us there was a tradition of having
bedrooms upstairs in houses because our ancestors, the cavemen, used to make their sleeping
places in trees to be safe from predators. 'Animals?' I asked him. 'Yes. Or humans', he said.
Claire contributed some lopped branches from a pine tree in the vicarage garden: they still had
their needles attached, and Alan without discussing it arranged them to make a chalet-style roof
to give us shade. My father knotted some chandler's cable-rope to one of the other branches.
Then it was more or less complete and ready.

Bilet 13
Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. Are the children English or American ?
3. Replace the word "made safe again" with a synonym.
4. Do you have many friends ?

Another afternoon there was a domestic mix-up: I was supposed to be going to Salisbury with
my parents after lunch, but something happened and we stayed at home. I climbed up into the
tree house, which my father had made safe again, and called at the top of my voice over the
orchard into Claire's parents' walled garden. She was outside and heard me and did a Red Indian
whoop. 'Tell Alan!' I cried to her. Claire whooped and shouted 'Alan!' in the other direction, but
her voice wouldn't have been strong enough to carry that extra distance. I think I knew that when
I asked her. I'd never tried these jungle calls before (the information came from Alan, watching
Johnny Weissmuller on television). But I understood straight away what the significance of this
novel method of communication was, that the weakness of Claire's voice gave me an excellent
means of excluding Alan any time I didn't want him.

Bilet 14

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. Replace the word "decline" with a synonym ?
3. When do you think the action takes place ?
4. Have you ever been abroad ?

A middle-aged man, with some distinction in his features and a dignified manner, was standing
beside me, speaking to me. They tread so softly, so used are they to the terrain and the
mountains, that you don't hear them approach. In good English - not at all with an Indian accent -
he asked if I wouldn't prefer to leave the coach here and rejoin it on its return journey in the late
afternoon, and he would guide me up the mountains, or wherever in the area I would like to go. I
thanked him for his offer but declined.

Bilet 15

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. How do you think the speaker is feeling ?
3. Do you think the people in the village have an easy life ?
4. Have you ever been hospitalised ?
Somehow I felt it impossible - too discourteous to a fellow human being - to walk away from
him. Besides, he might have followed me, though I didn't believe he would have done. And
where could I have gone ? Only up or down the village street, the street that was his village, his
home. In my mind I urged the coach driver to sound his horn to indicate that that we should all
return to the vehicle, that it was about to move off and on to Gulmarg.
In a still, quiet voice - as if he was confinding in me - he began to talk again. 'Last year my wife
died and was left to bring up our three children. For six months one of them was in hospital, with
a badly injured leg.' He paused, before going on. 'There is hardly any work here, in Tangmarg.'

Bilet 16

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. How do you think the author is feeling ?
3. Why do you think he has this feeling ?
4. Have you ever felt like this ?

Six hours later the coach returned. I'd prayed that it wouldn't halt at Tangmarg but it did, as in the
morning on the way up. During the day, walking miles in the relentless and joyous air of the
mountains, I found that my encounter with the man at Tangmarg kept coming back to me,
nagged and fretted at the edges of my mind. Because I hadn't provided him whit work, even for a
short period of time, an hour or two, he had no money and therefore couldn't buy rice for his
children and himself. On the other hand, so I tried to rationalize, I was hardly the only person he
could have asked. There had been thirty or forty coaches at Gulmarg, and they all must have
stopped at Tangmarg in the morning on the upward climb. I didn't owe the man a living, or no
more than anyone else did. I wasn't his keeper.

Bilet 17

Answer the following questions after reading the text :

1. What is the text about ?

2. What time of the day is it ?
3. Does Diana live together with her son ?
4. How do you feel about being late ?

Diana stood at the barrier and watched the train disappearing from view. Disconsolately she
turned away. She had missed it by seconds and she hated being late at the office. Then she
thought of the letter in her bag. It was from her son, Stephen. She had longed to open it before
she left the house, but there was not time. Now she could read it over and over again in that long
wait before the next train.
Hugging the thought to herself, she went over to the form opposite the barrier. A young girl,
already sitting there, made room for her. Diana had a confused impression of gleaming
spectacles and a moon-shaped, anxious face.

Bilet 18

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. What kind of individuals do people admire ?
3. When does the cowboy leave the town ?
4. Who does a cowboy fight ?

In the Western movie, which comes out of many legends of the American West, a typical figure
is the lonesome cowboy. He wanders into a town and straightens out its troubles. Then the strong
and independent hero rides off in the sunset alone. Americans like this image in their films
because they are highly independent and individualism counts a great deal with them. An
individual, who is able to correct the evils of the world, or of a small town, is someone to admire.
He fights the evil, helps the people in need, and is always, ready to save someone.

Bilet 19

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text speak about ?

2. What attracts people to the theatre today ?
3. On which days are theatres full ?
4. What kept people at home in the past ?

For many years people would rather stay at home and watch television rather than go to the
movies. The new science fiction, war, romance and spy thrillers have brought people back to the
theatres. Once again, on Friday and Saturday nights audiences stand in long lines, buying tickets,
and laughing and crying over new creations. The habit of going to theatres is making a big
coming back today. The theatre fascinates the audience because people can see the actors in flesh
and blood and live "the life" of the characters. You cannot forget the atmosphere of the theatre
hall, the curtain rising and the applause at the end of the performance.

Bilet 20

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text talk about ?

2. What do children of all ages need ?
3. What are the effects of belonging to a group ?
4. Why do you think youngsters may prefer to wear baggy trousers and leather jackets ?
Children of all ages need to feel accepted by their age groups. It is not uncommon for people to
act in special way in order to make a group accept and like them. For example, if the "group"
wears baggy trousers and leather jackets, youngsters who want to be "in" will dress in those
styles. Or if a rude behaviour is the style of one group, a child who wants to belong to the group
may speak rudely. It is strange how young people react to their generation pressure. The need to
belong may have both positive and negative effects. Do you agree ?

Bilet 21

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. What does the modernization of agriculture mean ?
3. Why isn't everyone happy with the modernization of agriculture ?
4. How are fruits and vegetables grown today ?

Visiting a supermarket is like taking a trip around the world. Over here is a mountain of oranges
from sunny Israel. Over there are heads of lettuce from Turkey and wonderful vegetables from
Romania. The frozen fish comes all the way from various oceans of the world, the mustard from
France and the chicken from the States. What happened to the old farm where you could find
almost all of these things ? People still think that it was better old way, but there is no way back.
It seems as if it is on the verge of disappearing and of being replaced by the huge supermarket.

Bilet 22

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text speak about ?

2. What has business lost sight of ?
3. Why are some companies criticized ?
4. What do you think is meant by the "Christmas spirit" ?

Christmas is the season of goodwill - but often it seems that business has lost sight of this in its
pursuit of profit. Nowadays, many merely look at Christmas as an opportunity to make more
money. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but those who got too far may appear selfish,
miserable and dull.
As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, it cannot, surely, be long before
consumer affairs programmes expose companies for being especially greedy at Christmas and
ruining the Christmas spirit. It is, after all, absurd that, on the other hand, they want everyone to
be generous and give expensive presents, and yet, on the other hand, they themselves forget to be
charitable.

Bilet 23
Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text speak about ?

2. Which country grows wonderful vegetables ?
3. Why is the old farm mentioned in the text ?
4. What is it like to visit a supermarket ?

As a result of the modernization of agriculture, the farm of today looks a lot like a factory. Not
everyone is happy with the changes that have taken place on the farm. Some people say that the
eggs that come from farm-factory chickens lack the flavor of the old-fashioned kind. Fruits and
vegetables are no longer grown for flavor but for their ability to stand mechanical harvesting.
The choice between old-fashioned flavor and modern abundance is not an easy one to make.
Many people would rather keep to the old fashion, while others prefer the new ways.

Bilet 24

Answer the following questions after reading the text :

1. What is the main idea of the text ?

2. How many teenagers did the survey include ?
3. What has encouraged a cautious attitude to money ?
4. How much money do teenagers generally save ?

Teenagers do not spend as much money as their parents suspect- at least not according to the
findings on a recent survey. The survey included three hundred teenagers, 13-17 years old, from
all over Britain. Worry about debt is increasing among teenagers. Therefore the majority of
children make an effort to save for the future. Greater access to cash among teenagers does not
mean that they are irresponsible as a result. The economic recession seems to have encouraged
cautious attitudes to money even in the case of children at these ages. Instead of wasting what
pocket money they have on sweets or magazines, the teenagers who took part in the survey seem
to respond to the situation by saving more than half of their cash.

Bilet 25

Answer the following questions after reading the text :

1. What does the text speak about ?

2. When was the first traffic signal invented ?
3. When were the first automatic signals installed ?
4. Why do you think modern traffic lights are an American invention ?

The first traffic signal was invented by an engineer and was installed in London in 1868. It
looked like any railway signal of the time and was operated by gas. However, it exploded and
killed a policeman, and the accident discouraged further development until cars became
common.
Modern traffic lights are an American invention. Red-green systems were installed in Cleveland
in the 1914. three-colour systems operated by hand from a tower in the middle of the street were
installed in New York in 1918. the first lights of this type to appear in Britain were in London in
1925. Automatic signals were installed a year later. In the past, traffic lights were rare. In New
York, some lights had a statue on top. In Los Angeles, when lights changed they used to ring
bells to wake the sleeping motorists. These lights have been replaced by models that are
universally adopted.

Bilet 26

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. How long do the Chinese New Year festivities last ?
3. What are the Chinese children offered on New Year ?
4. What is the dragon parade ?

The Chinese New Year festivities are held at the end of January or the beginning of February for
a period of one month. During this time, Chinese people celebrate the end of the winter season.
Preparations begin in December when shops are crowded with people buying gifts. Buying new
shoes is extremely important because it is believed that if you walk in old shoes on New Year's
day you will have bad luck.
Gifts are offered at midnight. Children traditionally receive coins in red envelopes. For the next
two weeks, all shops are closed as people enjoy visiting friends and relatives.
The final and most impressive event is the Lantern Festival. Colourful lanterns are hung outside
home and a dragon parade takes place. The dragon is very long, made of paper and painted in
bright colours. The parade winds through the streets as crowds cheer and set off firecrackers.

Bilet 27

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text speak about ?

2. When do the preparations for Hogmany begin ?
3. What is believed to be good luck in Scotland, according to the text ?
4. When do people gather in town squares ?

The Scots celebrate Hogmany on the night of December 31st. It is a time for people to welcome
the coming of the New Year. Preparations for Hogmany begin at the end of November when
Christmas trees are decorated with colourful ornaments and lights. On New Year's people dress
smartly and gather in town squares and wait till midnight. At midnight, the clock strikes twelve
and people cheer, shout and sing. They kiss one another and drink a glass of Scotch whisky.
Then people go to visit their friends to wish them a Happy New Year. It is believed that it is
good luck if the first foot to enter someone's house in the New Year belongs to a tall, dark,
handsome man. Visitors carry a piece of coal with them as a good luck present.
Hogmany is a great time for everyone. It's the best time of the year to have fun and enjoy
yourself.

Bilet 28

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the main idea of the text ?

2. What can you read on the computer ?
3. In what way did internet revolutionize communication ?
4. What is your experience with the internet ?

The Internet has changed communication, as we know it. From education to advertisement, this
new technological advance has affected practically every aspect of our lives. Magazines,
newspapers and even books are "on-line" and can be read on the computer. You can find
information on any topic - the possibilities are endless. The Internet can instantly connect you to
other computers, allowing you to "chat" with people all over the world. It's very easy to learn
how to use the system, and once you are on-line, you'll never want to turn the computer off. The
development of such technology has come a long way. This amazing electronic devices have
changed many people's lives forever.

Bilet 29

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What does the text speak about ?

2. Why did June hand the keys to their home to the estate agent ?
3. When did Kelly win her first competition ?
4. In what way did Kelly's success in skating change the Harding's lives ?

June and Malcolm Harding spent their life savings on their first home, and thought they were set
for life. But just over a year later, June handed the keys back to the estate agent. Since then
they've also sold most of their furniture. All to give their daughter Kelly the chance to become a
world champion ice-skater.
What started as a way to stop Kelly being bored in the summer holiday has become the focus of
all their lives. She won her first competition after only 10 weeks of skating lessons.
Soon after, Kelly's coach left Britain for Canada and her parting words changed the Hardings'
lives forever. "Find the money to keep Kelly on the ice ", she urged. "She'll go all the way to the
top." From then on, there was no question - whatever it cost to make Kelly a winner, they'd find
a way.

Bilet 30

Answer the following questions after reading the text:

1. What is the text about ?

2. Why do many young people leave their home town ?
3. Describe the living conditions of the young people who leave their home town.
4. Which is, in your opinion, the biggest disadvantage of these young people ?

Leaving behind friends and family, many young people leave their hometown to search for work
in the big city. But the dream of a new life often turns out to be a nightmare. Jobs are difficult to
fin and friends are scarce when your luck runs out. Thousands of teenagers end up living in
cheap hostels or illegal squats1. These squats are empty houses which are either privately-owned
or council-owned. The windows are often boarded up and the electricity is usually cut off.
People sleep on mattresses on the floor and rely on candles. The work is often physically tiring
and may even be dangerous. In addition to the problems of employment and accommodation,
many young people experience loneliness in the anonymity of the city.

1 empty buildings in which people live without permission or paying rent.