Практика: задания 12 — 18

Вариант 1

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The county of Antrim is not only one of the most picturesque, but most prosperous in all Ireland. It is also remarkable for being entirely surrounded by water: by the ocean, Lough Neagh, and the rivers Bann and Lagan. In this county, vast quantities of flax are raised and manufactured into linen — chiefly at Belfast, the most important commercial town in the north of Ireland.

Belfast is particularly dear to me as a place where I spent many pleasant days with some warm-hearted Irish friends. In sight of this town there is a large hill, which is remarkable for presenting, at a particular point of view, a most gigantic likeness to the first Napoleon. Certain swells and ledges of the summit form the great profile very distinctly. He seems to be lying on his back, asleep, or in a meditative mood, and the face has such a dejected, melancholy look that one might suppose the likeness had been taken when the Emperor was a prisoner at St. Helena. There was one of the Bonapartes at Belfast, at the time I was there attending the meeting of the British Association, a celebrated scientific society. This was Lucien, a grand-nephew of the Emperor. He recognized the likeness in the great rocky profile, when it was pointed out to him, and professed to be a good deal affected by it.

Near Belfast there is also a famous ‘Druidical circle’, or a large amphitheatre, enclosed by high mounds of earth, where the ancient Druids used to meet for their heathen worship. As we stood in that great circle, beside a rude altar of stones, it made us shudder to think that hundreds of human beings had probably been cruelly sacrificed there as offerings to the gods of the Druids. What a happy, blessed thing it is to know that such dreadful crimes can never again be committed here, under the name of religion.

While at Belfast, we made a delightful excursion to Shane’s Castle, the seat of Lord O’Neil. Shane’s Castle and the O’Neil’s estate are situated upon Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Great Britain. There is a legend that this sheet of water covers land that was once cultivated, cottages, castles, and even villages. The peasants say that there was once an enchanted well, which was always kept covered with a heavy stone, lest its waters should rise and overwhelm the land. One day, a careless woman went to this well to get water to boil her potatoes in, and hearing her baby cry, ran home without waiting to cover the well, which began to leap up in a great column, like a water-spout of an underground sea, and poured out so fast and furious that before many hours the whole valley was overflowed, and that night, the moon smiled to see herself reflected in a new lake.

On our route from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway, we passed through several towns, of little importance now, though of some historical note such as Carrickfergus, Larne, and Glenarm. This last is a beautifully situated town, with a pleasant little bay, which usually affords a safe shelter for shipping on a coast somewhat renowned for wrecks and disasters. Here is a fine castle, which is the seat of the ancient family of the MacDonnels, Earls of Antrim. Scarcely anything in the world can be grander or more beautiful than the coast road all the way from Glenarm to the Giant’s Causeway. It is too fine to be described; it should be painted, not written about.

We reached the Causeway late in the evening so hungry and tired that we were very glad to get our supper and went to bed without putting our heads out of doors. In the morning we engaged a guide and set out on our sightseeing tour.

The Causeway is formed by a vast collection of rocky columns mostly as regular in shape as though cut by masonry five-sided, six-sided, seven or eight-sided, piled and packed together, varying much in height, but little in size. Some form a floor almost as even as a city pavement, some form gradual steps leading down to the sea and some tower upward, like spires and turrets.

There is a very singular collection of these columns on the side of the highest cliff, a hundred and twenty feet in height, called ‘the Giant’s Organ,’ from their resemblance to the pipes of that instrument.

According to legend, the mighty Giant, Finn McCool, was musical in his taste, and used to give himself ‘a little innocent diversion’ here, after his hard labours in building the Causeway. Even now, when the sea roars, and the deep thunder rolls along the rocky coast, they say ‘the giant is playing on his big stone organ under the cliff’.

(Adapted from “Stories and Legends of Travel and History” by Grace Greenwood)

{"questions":[{"content":"The county of Antrim is described as:<br />[[choice-1]]","widgets":{"choice-1":{"type":"choice","options":["picturesque but poor.","rich and successful.","the land of vast plains.","the land of long rivers."],"explanations":["","“The county of Antrim is not only one of the most picturesque, but most prosperous in all Ireland.”<br />(«графство Антрим не только одно из самых живописных, но и самых процветающих»).","",""],"answer":[1]}}},{"content":"The large hill near Belfast is remarkable for:<br />[[choice-12]]","widgets":{"choice-12":{"type":"choice","options":["a striking resemblance to the first Emperor of the French.","its likeness to a grand-nephew of the Emperor.","the visit of one of the Bonapartes.","the profile of the first Napoleon carved into it."],"explanations":["“A large hill… is remarkable for presenting… a most gigantic likeness to the first Napoleon.”<br />(«замечателен своим поразительным сходством с Наполеоном Первым»).","","",""],"answer":[0]}}},{"content":"‘Druidical circle’ is:<br />[[choice-37]]","widgets":{"choice-37":{"type":"choice","options":["a large amphitheatre for theatrical performances.","a church with a rude altar of stones.","a place of current sacrificial offerings to the gods.","a place of ancient religious ceremonies."],"explanations":["","","","“…a famous Druidical circle… where the ancient Druids used to meet for their heathen worship.”<br />(«где древние друиды собирались для языческих обрядов»)."],"answer":[3]}}},{"content":"How was Lough Neagh formed?<br />[[choice-71]]","widgets":{"choice-71":{"type":"choice","options":["It was artificially created by the peasants.","It appeared because of a careless woman.","It was formed by the water rising from an underground sea.","Nobody knows for sure."],"explanations":["","“…a careless woman went to this well… ran home without waiting to cover the well, which began to leap up in a great column… and that night the moon smiled to see herself reflected in a new lake.”<br />(«из-за небрежной женщины, не накрывшей колодец, и вода затопила долину»).","",""],"answer":[1]}}},{"content":"On his way from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway, the narrator was particularly impressed by:<br />[[choice-122]]","widgets":{"choice-122":{"type":"choice","options":["the historical town of Glenarm.","a pleasant little bay offering a safe shelter for shipping.","the coast road from Glenarm to the Giant’s Causeway.","the castle of the ancient family of the MacDonnels."],"explanations":["","","“Scarcely anything in the world can be grander or more beautiful than the coast road all the way from Glenarm to the Giant’s Causeway.”<br />(«едва ли можно найти что-то более величественное и красивое, чем прибрежная дорога от Гленарма к Дороге гигантов»).",""],"answer":[2]}}},{"content":"The Giant’s Causeway is a collection of rocky columns:<br />[[choice-191]]","widgets":{"choice-191":{"type":"choice","options":["of similar size.","of similar height.","irregular in shape.","cut by masons."],"explanations":["","","“...rocky columns mostly as regular in shape as though cut by masonry… varying much in height, but little in size.”<br />(«в основном правильной формы, но различающихся по высоте» — значит, не одинаковые, т.е. irregular).",""],"answer":[2]}}},{"content":"According to legend, the giant Finn McCool:<br />[[choice-269]]","widgets":{"choice-269":{"type":"choice","options":["was a talented musician.","worked hard to build the Causeway.","used to play the organ only when the sea roared.","never played his organ."],"explanations":["“According to legend, the mighty giant Finn McCool was musical in his taste, and used to give himself ‘a little innocent diversion’ here.”<br />(«гигант Финн МакКул был музыкален и любил играть на своём каменном органе»).","","",""],"answer":[0]}}}],"mix":1}

Вариант 2

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College Stress

The first time we leave home and start preparing for adult life, college presents intense pressure to achieve high grades and shape successful careers. Students tend to push themselves to the limit both in their academic performance and in their recreational outlets. Yes, being a student can be tough. With the transition to adult life, making new friends and busy schedules for studying college stress is commonplace for most students.

Stress is your body’s response to uncomfortable or unfamiliar situations and can surface through a range of physical, emotional, or mental symptoms. The situations that lead to stress can be either negative or positive. Yes, even a high exam score can cause stress among college students, piling on the pressure to maintain the high average!

The important thing to remember about stress is that it should only be temporary; otherwise, it can lead to burnout, or physical and emotional exhaustion. If you find yourself stressed for long periods, first of all, take some time off and do something to distract from the pressure. Here are some other tips on how to reduce it.

One of the most important lessons you can learn during college is to ask for and accept help. Whether from a friend or a professor, being surrounded by a strong support system will help ease the transition into some of the best years of your life!

Admitting what you don’t know and studying with a friend could be the difference between a 60% and 80% on your next exam. Asking your professor for an extension on your next paper might give you the time you need to write that last page. Try not to put so much weight on every situation and remind yourself that college is a time for clarification and exploration and should be enjoyed!

The next vital tip is to manage your health. Eating healthy food can make a huge impact on alleviating stress and positive thinking. Make sure you avoid fast food and energy drinks as the fix will be temporary and will cause you to crash. Instead, eat lots of stress-busting food. Green leafy vegetables like spinach contain folate that produce dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical that will help you feel calm. Protein foods like eggs and meat help produce serotonin that regulates hunger and feelings of happiness and well-being. Omega-3 foods such as salmon have anti-inflammatory properties that help counteract the negative effects of stress hormones.

Other foods such as blueberries, seeds, dark chocolate, avocado, nuts, yoghurt and oatmeal also help counter stress.

Many daily strategies also can help you keep stress at bay. Try relaxation activities, such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, breathing exercises and muscle relaxation. Programs are available online, in smartphone apps, and at many gyms and wellness centers.

Stay positive and practice gratitude, acknowledging the good parts of your day or life. Accept that you can’t control everything. Find ways to let go of worry about situations you cannot change. Learn to say “no” to additional responsibilities when you are too busy or stressed.

Finally, stay connected with people who keep you calm, make you happy, provide emotional support and help you with practical things. A friend, family member or neighbour can become a good listener or share responsibilities so that stress doesn’t become overwhelming.

Yes, college can be a scary and overwhelming time in a person’s life, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Stress that college students feel can often affect their academic achievements as well as their personal life. However, everything is manageable if you tackle it wisely.

{"questions":[{"content":"According to the article, college stress is: [[choice-1]]","widgets":{"choice-1":{"type":"choice","options":["typical for the majority of students.","higher for those who leave their parents.","more of a problem for students with high grades.","a natural marker of beginning an adult life."],"explanations":["“With the transition to adult life, making new friends and busy schedules for studying, college stress is commonplace for most students.”<br />(…стресс в колледже обычное дело для большинства студентов.)","","",""],"answer":[0]}}},{"content":"Why does the author think that high exam scores can cause stress?<br />[[choice-10]]","widgets":{"choice-10":{"type":"choice","options":["Positive things can lead to stress more often.","Achieving good results is hard work.","It is stressful to keep up the excellent level.","Students with high scores have symptoms of stress."],"explanations":["","","“Even a high exam score can cause stress among college students, piling on the pressure to maintain the high average.”<br />(…повышает давление, чтобы удержать высокий средний балл.)",""],"answer":[2]}}},{"content":"What advice does the author NOT give about help in college?[[choice-44]]","widgets":{"choice-44":{"type":"choice","options":["Admit being in need of assistance and call for it.","Remember the importance of professional psychological help.","Seek assistance from those you know.","Ask a teacher to prolong a deadline for a task."],"explanations":["","В тексте говорится про помощь друзей, профессоров и окружения,<br />но ни слова про психологическую помощь.","",""],"answer":[1]}}},{"content":"What is the author’s advice on eating to counter stress?[[choice-87]]","widgets":{"choice-87":{"type":"choice","options":["Keeping on a vegetarian diet will help to control stress.","What you drink is more important than what you eat.","Eat protein-containing food several times a day.","Varied diet is vital to reduce stress hormones."],"explanations":["","","","“Eat lots of stress-busting food… Green leafy vegetables… Protein foods like eggs and meat… Omega 3 foods such as salmon… help counteract the negative effects of stress hormones.”"],"answer":[3]}}},{"content":"The expression “keep stress at bay” is closest in meaning to [[fill_choice_big-139]].<br />","widgets":{"fill_choice_big-139":{"type":"fill_choice_big","options":["increase","investigate","control","remove"],"answer":2}},"hints":["“Many daily strategies also can help you keep stress at bay” — то есть держать стресс под контролем."]},{"content":"It is implied in the text that saying ‘no’ helps to [[fill_choice_big-198]].","widgets":{"fill_choice_big-198":{"type":"fill_choice_big","options":["keep you busy","stay positive","control emotions","reduce stress levels"],"answer":3}},"hints":["“Learn to say ‘no’ to additional responsibilities when you are too busy or stressed.”<br />(…чтобы не испытывать перегрузку, то есть снижать стресс.)"]},{"content":"The author’s main goal is to...<br />[[choice-274]]","widgets":{"choice-274":{"type":"choice","options":["give advice on how to deal with stress.","warn against harmful effects of college life.","encourage to do special stress-reducing exercise.","provide emotional support to students under pressure."],"explanations":["Весь текст посвящён советам по борьбе со стрессом — питанию, отдыху, поддержке, помощи и т.д.","","",""],"answer":[0]}}}],"mix":1}

Вариант 3

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My Experience Volunteering at an Animal Shelter (by Doria Leibowitz)

Two years ago, when I was thinking about my summer plans, all I wanted to do was to work with animals. I wanted to work at an animal hospital or at a facility that trains animals to work with the disabled. They are both within easy reach of my home and they usually have intern programmes for school students. Unfortunately, all internships involving animals require you to be at least sixteen, and I wasn’t. That is why I decided to volunteer at my local animal shelter. I realized that I didn’t need an internship just to get the hands-on experience I was looking for and it was probably the best decision I have ever made.

Working at an animal shelter isn’t the most glamorous work. I would not advise you to wear your favourite shirt when training dogs because the big slobbering kiss that the Boxer is going to give you will go all over it. I wouldn’t wear new sneakers when feeding the cats either, especially near that one black tabby that shows her displeasure of particular food by spitting it out at random targets.

Despite all this, it’s an amazing and rewarding experience. While there are many tough chores, like feeding, cleaning up after the animals or washing their dirty beds, there are also fun ways to directly interact with the animals. I have always loved walking around and deciding which dog to take to the training room to teach new tricks. Yet it is always a difficult decision because the dogs always get extremely excited to see you, and it can be hard to just pick one.

I remember teaching a mixed breed Collie how to sit and to give her paw. After that every time I came with a treat, without even giving the commands, she immediately sat and gave me her paw. The experience was as motivating and exciting as it was to teach my own Labradoodle puppy to do the same tricks. In addition to teaching the dogs tricks, you can also take them for walks. Training the dogs how to act appropriately during a walk is probably the most difficult task because each dog acts differently on their walk, and it is not always easy to gauge how each dog will react in certain situations.

When I started to work in the shelter, I was terrified of cats. However, once I came with my friend, a cat lover, who convinced me to interact with one of the cats directly. Slowly, my fear subsided, and now I love playing with cats. While I still prefer hanging out with the dogs, I make sure to set aside enough time to go to the cat room during a visit, especially because most volunteers only come for the dogs.

Many people don’t realize the importance of donations for a shelter’s survival. Shelters often run out of basic supplies like newspapers and towels. When I heard about this, I solicited small donations from my school to allow the shelter to purchase necessities, which made the shelter extremely grateful. People also don’t realize that in order to help a shelter, they don’t have to work directly with animals. There are so many other ways to contribute such as raising money, soliciting donations, or even helping at the front desk.

Being an animal shelter volunteer makes you feel like you are doing the right thing. After spending time with the animals, whether it’s taking them for a walk, giving them a bath or just showing them your love, their personalities come out and they start to shine. You can see this change in their behaviour instantly, which is, in my opinion, truly rewarding.

It is scientifically proven that spending time with animals is good for your emotional, physical, and mental health. It will also keep you active, especially if you prefer to walk dogs. Finally, you gain professional and life experiences. Volunteering is a great way to try out a new career or to try something new.

{"questions":[{"content":"Why was the author unable to volunteer at an animal hospital?<br />[[choice-1]]","widgets":{"choice-1":{"type":"choice","options":["There were no programmes for school students at an animal hospital.","There was no animal hospital nearby.","She did not need an internship.","She did not meet age requirements."],"explanations":["","","","“All internships involving animals require you to be at least sixteen, and I wasn’t.”<br />(На стажировки берут только с 16 лет, а ей было меньше.)"],"answer":[3]}}},{"content":"The expression “hands-on” is synonymous to [[fill_choice_big-14]].<br />","widgets":{"fill_choice_big-14":{"type":"fill_choice_big","options":["first-hand","real-time","practical","invaluable"],"answer":2}},"hints":["“I didn’t need an internship just to get the hands-on experience I was looking for.”<br />(“hands-on experience” — это практический опыт.)"]},{"content":"How did the author feel about her work in the animal shelter?<br />[[choice-38]]","widgets":{"choice-38":{"type":"choice","options":["She disliked getting dirty during the work.","She was pleased to feed the animals.","She enjoyed communicating with the animals.","She was upset because the animals felt lonely."],"explanations":["","","“It’s an amazing and rewarding experience… I have always loved walking around and deciding which dog to take to the training room.”<br />(Она получает удовольствие от общения с животными и считает это ценным опытом.)",""],"answer":[2]}}},{"content":"What was the greatest challenge the author faced while interacting with the dogs?[[choice-77]]","widgets":{"choice-77":{"type":"choice","options":["To train the dogs to behave properly during walks.","To make the dogs do different tricks.","To feed the dogs and clean after them.","To pick out the dog to take it to the training room."],"explanations":["“Training the dogs how to act appropriately during a walk is probably the most difficult task.”<br />(«Научить собак вести себя правильно во время прогулки — самая трудная задача.»)","","",""],"answer":[0]}}},{"content":"Describing her activities in the shelter, the author implies that at the moment:<br />[[choice-123]]","widgets":{"choice-123":{"type":"choice","options":["she spends more time with cats than with dogs.","she got used to playing with cats.","she prefers cats to dogs.","she is still afraid of cats."],"explanations":["","“Slowly, my fear subsided, and now I love playing with cats.”<br />(«Мой страх прошёл, и теперь я люблю играть с кошками.»)","",""],"answer":[1]}}},{"content":"Which way of helping stray animals does the author NOT mention in the article? [[choice-190]]","widgets":{"choice-190":{"type":"choice","options":["Making donations to animal shelters.","Volunteering at animal shelters.","Raising money for animal shelters.","Adopting animals from shelters."],"explanations":["","","","В тексте упоминаются сбор пожертвований, волонтёрство и сбор денег,<br />но усыновление животных не упоминается."],"answer":[3]}}},{"content":"What is the most worthwhile reason for the author to volunteer at an animal shelter?[[choice-276]]","widgets":{"choice-276":{"type":"choice","options":["To improve physical and emotional health.","To stay active.","To try out a new career.","To make animals happier."],"explanations":["“It is scientifically proven that spending time with animals is good for your emotional, physical, and mental health.”<br />(Научно доказано, что общение с животными полезно для здоровья.)","","",""],"answer":[0]}}}]}

Вариант 4

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Cross-cultural communication

Communicating cross-culturally can be exciting and rewarding, but even wise and accomplished communicators often make some of the more common cross-cultural communication mistakes. Before you embark on your journey (or even if you’re midway down the road) consider some useful tips. When it comes to communication, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.

First of all, assume good intentions. Every cross-cultural worker knows this moment: you’re in discussion with an individual from another culture, when they say something totally offensive or rude. You’re a bit taken aback and feel defensive. How could they say that? In this moment, especially if you feel tired from jet lag or overwhelmed with culture shock, it can be so easy to try to “correct” the individual or respond defensively, but doing so may damage the relationship and leave the other person confused.

It’s hard enough to guess intentions in your own culture, but cross-cultural guessing can be even trickier. It’s very possible the other person’s words are based on some cultural frame of reference you don’t understand, or they simply mistranslated a word or phrase. Take a step back. Take a breath. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

Obviously, not all interactions come from good intentions. It can be helpful to run the interaction by a trusted individual from within the culture who can help you understand what you might have missed.

For the time being, however, you’ll want to ask clarifying questions. You’re in the midst of an interaction and something seems off, either relationally or informationally. Maybe the person suggested a plan that appears completely outside of the parameters of your discussion with them. Maybe they said something that seemed to hold a sharp edge to it. Maybe you are just completely lost (it happens!).

Your best option is to ask a few questions to get some clarification. When shouldn’t you ask clarifying questions? If you’re a newbie to the culture and the other individual said something that feels like a personal attack, it’s best to get the discussion focused back on the main point, and then check in with a trusted local friend. For example, in certain Asian cultures it’s completely acceptable to say, “You’ve gotten a little fatter!” In fact, if you’ve been apart for a season and the speaker recognizes that you’ve gained weight, it shows their attentiveness to you. Imagine the confusion if your counterpart thinks they are showing positive interest in you and you respond like a prickly cactus.

In cross-cultural communication, don’t rely fully on your intuition. Here’s the thing: intuition isn’t some mysterious super-power you can pull out at will; instead it is a conglomerate of observational skills that are highly informed by the culture you grew up in and the accumulation of your past experiences. We’ve seen highly successful and intelligent individuals crash and burn when relying on their “gut” in cross-cultural interactions.

How do you remedy this situation? Research, research, and research. Read books. Ask questions. Observe interactions between members of the host culture. Pay attention to positive and negative responses to your own interactions with the culture. By doing this you build up that weight of experience to inform your observations.

The reality is that you most probably will make mistakes. The good news, though, is that people often recognize the signs of a person who is genuinely seeking to understand and honour their culture. By becoming a student of the cultures you communicate with, you demonstrate a respect that at times will open more doors than a perfect presentation.

{"questions":[{"content":"In paragraph 1, the author writes that cross-cultural communication is:<br />[[choice-1]]","widgets":{"choice-1":{"type":"choice","options":["important to avoid making mistakes.","for experienced communicators.","worth doing and quite interesting.","like a long journey without a goal."],"explanations":["","","“Communicating cross-culturally can be exciting and rewarding.”<br />(Автор говорит, что это интересно и приносит удовлетворение.)",""],"answer":[2]}}},{"content":"According to the text, how can correcting an individual make them feel?<br />[[fill_choice_big-2]]","widgets":{"fill_choice_big-2":{"type":"fill_choice_big","options":["Surprised","Shocked","Offended","Confused"],"placeholder":0,"answer":3}},"hints":["“…doing so may damage the relationship and leave the other person confused.”<br />(Попытка “исправить” собеседника может оставить его в замешательстве.)"]},{"content":"Which is NOT mentioned in the text as a reasonable way to deal with seemingly rude behaviour?<br />[[choice-3]]","widgets":{"choice-3":{"type":"choice","options":["Consulting another local person for advice.","Trying to guess the person’s intentions.","Avoiding jumping to conclusions.","Trying to calm down before your response."],"explanations":["","В тексте сказано, что “cross-cultural guessing can be tricky” — автор советует не угадывать намерения, а наоборот, спрашивать, уточнять и советоваться.","",""],"answer":[1]}}},{"content":"According to the text, asking clarifying questions can help:[[choice-4]]","widgets":{"choice-4":{"type":"choice","options":["to express your interest in a new culture.","if you have a trusted person to ask.","when you hear something unacceptable.","if you lack understanding with a person."],"explanations":["","","","“You’re in the midst of an interaction and something seems off... Your best option is to ask a few questions to get some clarification.”<br />(То есть, если вы чего-то не поняли, нужно задать уточняющие вопросы.)"],"answer":[3]}}},{"content":"What is the best strategy in case an individual makes personal remarks you find offensive, according to the author?<br />[[choice-5]]","widgets":{"choice-5":{"type":"choice","options":["Concentrating on the subject.","Asking more questions.","Being more attentive.","Showing a genuine interest."],"explanations":["“If you’re a newbie to the culture and the other individual said something that feels like a personal attack, it’s best to get the discussion focused back on the main point.”<br />(Лучше вернуться к сути разговора, а не реагировать на замечание.)","","",""],"answer":[0]}}},{"content":"The expression relying on their “gut” ... is closest in meaning to:<br />[[choice-6]]","widgets":{}},{"content":"What is the main idea of the text as stated in the last paragraph?<br />[[choice-7]]","widgets":{"choice-7":{"type":"choice","options":["Making mistakes is a way to learn about cultures.","Being polite and ready to learn is the main thing.","Studying in another culture helps you to learn it better.","Being professional helps you to interact in a new culture."],"explanations":["","“People often recognize the signs of a person who is genuinely seeking to understand and honour their culture.”<br />(Главная мысль — уважительно относиться и стремиться понять чужую культуру важнее, чем быть идеальным.)","",""],"answer":[1]}}}]}

Вариант 5

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The First Year (by Meggan Turner)

Starting university can be one of the most exciting times of your life, no matter what age you are when you start, yet it can also be one of the scariest. It can make you doubt that you’re ready for true adult life and shows that you need a little guidance in it. Yet, for some people, it can make them blossom into adulthood and prove that this is where they belong. The stresses that university brings, however, are something that not many people are prepared for.

At university, most students get a student loan that is meant to last between 3–4 months, depending on when the next loan comes in. The loan is to be spent on accommodation (if living away from home), transportation (if commuting), food, and other things, such as materials for your uni course. As a result, budgeting becomes highly important to make sure the money lasts.

There are ways to handle this, though. You can try to make a weekly or monthly budget of what you need to spend, what you’d like to spend, and what you want to put into savings. If you don’t have any money left to put into savings at the end of a month, you should not panic too much. You’re not alone, and there are many students who are in the same boat. Don’t be afraid to tell your friends or your family that you’re struggling. There will often be people who can help in any way.

Another source of stress when you go to university is living away from home or having a long-distance commute. For example, I commute from Sheffield to Derby on a daily basis, which doesn’t take too much time, but it is stressful because I need to make sure I’m on the right train, or else I could end up in London. Starting out commuting can be worrying since you might not know where to go or what transport to use. Moreover, travelling to a different city in itself can be extremely nerve-racking. Yet the more you do it, the more confident you become. It’s stressful starting out, but as your confidence and independence grow, you will be able to commute with little to no issues.

The difference in work from A Levels to university can also be a shock to your nervous system. It varies from whatever course you’re doing, so it can be very different for most students. The deadlines are a lot closer together, the workload can be a lot more than expected since some courses are highly coursework-based, and doing university exams can be frightening because you aren’t sure how they’re going to look or whether they’ll work any different than the A Level exams. If you get too worked up, you’ll get nothing done because you may shut down and want to do nothing. For these reasons, it’s more important to calm yourself. If you make time for relaxation, you will be able to go back to work with a calm mind, and you’ll probably get even more work done.

University is a challenging experience for most people, but, hopefully, it will be one of the most rewarding times of your life. You will learn skills of being an adult and will hopefully become a better person for it. Stresses will come and go but never be ashamed of asking for help if you need it. Whether it’s asking for help from a friend or a lecturer, they’ll be more than happy to help you. Enjoy your time at university and try not to let the stresses ruin your experience. Be confident, and don’t let anything get in your way of achieving what you want in life. Your mental health is more important than anything, so make sure to always take time for yourself. You are your own priority. You should stay strong, and I’m sure you will be able to handle anything.

{"questions":[{"content":"According to the author, starting university:[[choice-1]]","widgets":{"choice-1":{"type":"choice","options":["can be one of the hardest times of your life.","demands a lot of guidance if you are not old enough.","shows that you’re prepared for the adult life.","can be frightening regardless of your age."],"explanations":["","","","“Starting university can be one of the most exciting times of your life, no matter what age you are... yet it can also be one of the scariest.”<br />(Автор говорит, что в любом возрасте университет может пугать.)"],"answer":[3]}}},{"content":"What types of expenses are NOT covered by a student loan?<br />[[fill_choice_big-2]]","widgets":{"fill_choice_big-2":{"type":"fill_choice_big","options":["Food costs.","Travel expenses.","Rented accommodation.","University books."],"placeholder":0,"answer":3}},"hints":["В тексте указано, что стипендия идёт на жильё, транспорт, еду и материалы для курсов, но книги (университетские материалы) туда не входят как обязательная часть расходов."]},{"content":"Why is budgeting necessary?[[choice-3]]","widgets":{"choice-3":{"type":"choice","options":["To buy additional materials for the uni course.","Not to run out of the loan money.","Not to ask for help if you need additional money.","To put a certain amount of money into savings."],"explanations":["","“Budgeting becomes highly important to make sure the money lasts.”<br />(Бюджетирование нужно, чтобы деньги хватили до следующего займа.)","",""],"answer":[1]}}},{"content":"Which of the following is the reason for the biggest stress while commuting?[[choice-4]]","widgets":{"choice-4":{"type":"choice","options":["Commuting takes too much time.","Choosing the right train.","Going to an unknown city.","Having to commute on a daily basis."],"explanations":["","","“Travelling to a different city in itself can be extremely nerve-racking.”<br />(Поездки в незнакомый город вызывают наибольший стресс.)",""],"answer":[2]}}},{"content":"The expression “extremely nerve-racking” is synonymous to [[fill_choice_big-5]].","widgets":{"fill_choice_big-5":{"type":"fill_choice_big","options":["quite nervous","a bit scary","rather anxious","very worrying"],"answer":3}},"hints":["“Extremely nerve-racking” означает “очень тревожный, вызывающий волнение” — very worrying."]},{"content":"How does the author feel about the university work?<br />[[choice-7]]","widgets":{"choice-7":{"type":"choice","options":["It is easier than studying for A Level exams.","It does not allow time for relaxation.","It can be scary at times.","It is the same for all students."],"explanations":["","","“Doing university exams can be frightening because you aren’t sure how they’re going to look.”<br />(Автор прямо пишет, что университетские экзамены могут быть пугающими.)",""],"answer":[2]}}},{"content":"In the final paragraph the author emphasizes that:<br />[[choice-6]]","widgets":{"choice-6":{"type":"choice","options":["you can cope with any problems at university.","it is necessary to take constant care of your health.","you should avoid the stresses that university brings.","while studying you can rely only on yourself."],"explanations":["“Be confident... You should stay strong, and I’m sure you will be able to handle anything.”<br />(Автор подчеркивает: ты справишься со всем, нужно только уверенность и сила.)","","",""],"answer":[0]}}}],"mix":1}