Олімпіада з англійської мови, 11 клас

I used to feel perfectly at ease on the slopes. As an experienced skier, I had trust in my instincts and my equipment, and generally always felt in control. That all changed a few years ago, though. Now, my skis rest in my attic collecting dust, and they will remain there for the rest of my life – all because of one fateful day that nearly cost me my life.

The day started out like any other in the ski resorts where I used to train. There was a sunny sky and a cold mountain air swirling around me. I had been skiing with my friends for a few hours when I told them I was going back to the cabin for a break. Then, on my way back, I came across a very steep slope just outside the resort. I couldn’t resist the challenge! Alone and at the top of what looked like the most difficult ski slope I had ever seen, I was very excited. A quarter of the way down, however, my excitement turned to panic as I felt a low but steady rumble beneath me. The snow at my feet began to tremble and although I had never been the victim of an avalanche before, I could still recognise the signs.

The next thing I knew, I was screaming with pain on a helicopter flying towards a hospital. The snow had broken my leg and had knocked me unconscious and, miraculously, five hours later, I had been rescued. I was later told that the rescue team wasn’t even looking for survivors – even my friends thought I had just returned to the cabin and were calling my mobile phone to tell me about what happened. The team just happened to see my skis lying on top of the snow.

I still think about the foolish decision I made that day that almost cost me my life. First, I didn’t tell my friends where I was going when I wandered off and, second, I took on a slope that was far too dangerous. My need for excitement, that rush that only extreme sports can give, had got the better of me. Now, my children are advanced skiers and I’m quite sure they would never make the same mistake I did. As for me, I surprisingly don’t miss skiing that much.

I’m content to sip hot chocolate in a ski cabin rather than go out on the slopes.

Read the text and choose the correct answer.

 The writer’s intention in the text is to

The future of Robotics

Who do you think will make the most use of robots in the future – teenagers or elderly people? Although we all know that in general younger people feel more comfortable with new technology than their parents and grandparents, robotics scientists are predicting that as robot technology advances, human-like machines will become something we associate with the older generation. That’s both because people who are less mobile and independent are more likely to need machines to carry out their household chores, and because older people tend to feel more confident dealing with technology if it looks, sounds and behaves like a person. Although there are, of course, plenty of “silver surfers” who can browse the Internet as well as their grandchildren, there are probably many more over-60s who convince themselves that they can’t use anything computerised.

In Japan there are already experimental robots in existence that can help people to get out of bed, to get back on their feet after they fall over and even to wash their hair. Robot designers are now close to creating robots that can not only remind people of when they need to take medication, but also administer the medication just as a nurse would if necessary, and even send video reports on patients to doctors. Before long, there could be robots that can act as all-round carers with the minimal of human input. They won’t even need a human being to give them a power supply. Instead, they will know how to plug themselves in when they need to be charged up. One expert in artificial intelligence has said that these care assistant robots have the potential to revolutionise people’s lives as much as the invention of reading glasses and the discovery of fire. People in need of constant care will have no problem finding it via robotic nurses, and human carers will benefit from more breaks.

Robots are also being designed to help elderly people who are in good health to maintain their wellbeing and improve their fitness. Researchers at the University of Southern California have created a robotic gym instructor which demonstrates the movements it asks people to make. The robot has a built-in video camera, which it uses to “watch” the movements of the person who’s working out in front of it. If he or she does the exercises right, it praises them verbally. Perhaps surprisingly, when its designers tested the robotic gym instructor on people of all ages, and asked them whether they would prefer to take instructions from a gym instructor on a video screen or the gym robot, their creation was by far the most popular choice, and among people across the generations!

The Japanese robots mentioned in the second paragraph  

The future of Robotics

Who do you think will make the most use of robots in the future – teenagers or elderly people? Although we all know that in general younger people feel more comfortable with new technology than their parents and grandparents, robotics scientists are predicting that as robot technology advances, human-like machines will become something we associate with the older generation. That’s both because people who are less mobile and independent are more likely to need machines to carry out their household chores, and because older people tend to feel more confident dealing with technology if it looks, sounds and behaves like a person. Although there are, of course, plenty of “silver surfers” who can browse the Internet as well as their grandchildren, there are probably many more over-60s who convince themselves that they can’t use anything computerised.

In Japan there are already experimental robots in existence that can help people to get out of bed, to get back on their feet after they fall over and even to wash their hair. Robot designers are now close to creating robots that can not only remind people of when they need to take medication, but also administer the medication just as a nurse would if necessary, and even send video reports on patients to doctors. Before long, there could be robots that can act as all-round carers with the minimal of human input. They won’t even need a human being to give them a power supply. Instead, they will know how to plug themselves in when they need to be charged up. One expert in artificial intelligence has said that these care assistant robots have the potential to revolutionise people’s lives as much as the invention of reading glasses and the discovery of fire. People in need of constant care will have no problem finding it via robotic nurses, and human carers will benefit from more breaks.

Robots are also being designed to help elderly people who are in good health to maintain their wellbeing and improve their fitness. Researchers at the University of Southern California have created a robotic gym instructor which demonstrates the movements it asks people to make. The robot has a built-in video camera, which it uses to “watch” the movements of the person who’s working out in front of it. If he or she does the exercises right, it praises them verbally. Perhaps surprisingly, when its designers tested the robotic gym instructor on people of all ages, and asked them whether they would prefer to take instructions from a gym instructor on a video screen or the gym robot, their creation was by far the most popular choice, and among people across the generations!

According to the artificial intelligence expert, the Japanese robots

The future of Robotics

Who do you think will make the most use of robots in the future – teenagers or elderly people? Although we all know that in general younger people feel more comfortable with new technology than their parents and grandparents, robotics scientists are predicting that as robot technology advances, human-like machines will become something we associate with the older generation. That’s both because people who are less mobile and independent are more likely to need machines to carry out their household chores, and because older people tend to feel more confident dealing with technology if it looks, sounds and behaves like a person. Although there are, of course, plenty of “silver surfers” who can browse the Internet as well as their grandchildren, there are probably many more over-60s who convince themselves that they can’t use anything computerised.

In Japan there are already experimental robots in existence that can help people to get out of bed, to get back on their feet after they fall over and even to wash their hair. Robot designers are now close to creating robots that can not only remind people of when they need to take medication, but also administer the medication just as a nurse would if necessary, and even send video reports on patients to doctors. Before long, there could be robots that can act as all-round carers with the minimal of human input. They won’t even need a human being to give them a power supply. Instead, they will know how to plug themselves in when they need to be charged up. One expert in artificial intelligence has said that these care assistant robots have the potential to revolutionise people’s lives as much as the invention of reading glasses and the discovery of fire. People in need of constant care will have no problem finding it via robotic nurses, and human carers will benefit from more breaks.

Robots are also being designed to help elderly people who are in good health to maintain their wellbeing and improve their fitness. Researchers at the University of Southern California have created a robotic gym instructor which demonstrates the movements it asks people to make. The robot has a built-in video camera, which it uses to “watch” the movements of the person who’s working out in front of it. If he or she does the exercises right, it praises them verbally. Perhaps surprisingly, when its designers tested the robotic gym instructor on people of all ages, and asked them whether they would prefer to take instructions from a gym instructor on a video screen or the gym robot, their creation was by far the most popular choice, and among people across the generations!

The robotic gym instructor 

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A: Thanks for helping me study!

B: ________________

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A: What was the cause of the crash?

B: _________________________

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A: Are you ready for your interview?

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A: Have you thought of seeing a therapist?

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 A: What time does your flight leave?

B: ________________________

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It is extremely ____ not to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

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Mary is a ____ person; she gets upset very easily.

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It was difficult to see the road through the thick ____ .

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If you are interested in the job, fill out a(n) ____ form.

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The ____ received fantastic reviews for their performance.

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A lot of products have unnecessary ____ that leads to waste.

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You should always ____ your food well before swallowing it.

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Sadie’s holiday was ruined when she got food ____ from eating at a restaurant.

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I really enjoy visiting ancient ____ when I go abroad.

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Jackie is very ____; she’s always there when you need her.

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Angus ____ his grandparents in the country at the moment.

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We visited a gallery ____ had an amazing display of ancient sculptures.

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George ____ in films for over 20 years before he retired.

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There were ____ people on the bus that I had to stand.

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You should take your umbrella with you because it looks like it ____ .

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Simon booked his tickets early ____ get a cheaper price.

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____ amazing deal this holiday is!

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I would prefer ____ dinner out tonight.

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Jim turned on his mobile phone ____ the aeroplane landed.

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I ____ my maths exam when the fire alarm went off.

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This dress isn’t ____ the first one I saw.

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The recycling bin ____ every Monday morning starting from next week.

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There are ____ biscuits in the cupboard.

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Look at this portrait of John! He ____ last week.

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Billy is taking part in a walk to raise money for ____ homeless.