Test. READING

Read the text.

The gift

 Oscola McCarty spent more than 75 years washing and ironing other people's clothes. Her lined hands were the evidence of hard work. So, it was a surprise, when Miss McCarty decided to give her entire life savings - $150,000 – to the University of Southern Mississippi. Miss McCarty's gift amazed even those who thought they knew her well.

 The customers who have brought their laundry and ironing to her home for more than 75 years included three generations of some families. Initially she said she charged $1.50 to$2 a bundle but with inflation the price rose.

 "When I started making $10 a bundle, I began to save money," recollected Miss McCarty, who was born on March 7 1908. "I put it in savings. I never would take any of it out. It just accumulated."

 As her savings increased over years, McCarty washed and ironed and lived not a rich life. She never learned to drive and still walks everywhere she goes. When her mother and aunt died, they each left her some money, which she added to her savings. In 1947 her uncle died and left her a modest house in which she still lives.

 Until her donation, she was afraid to fly and had only been out of the South once in 50 years. Since then she's travelled all over the country and has been the subject of many interviews and articles. She's even visited the White House and been honoured by the president.

 Her donation of her life savings is for students who clearly demonstrate a financial need. "I want to help somebody's child go to college," said the quite spoken McCarty, who left school in sixth grade and has never married or had children. "I just want it to go to someone who will appreciate it and learn. I'm old. I'm not going to live always."

 Miss McCarty's generosity inspired many to give money to the university, and contributions came in from all over the country. Her gift has now been more than doubled.

 In a recent magazine interview McCarty was asked why she didn't spend the money earned over a lifetime on herself. "I am spending it on myself," she answered smiling.

Task 1. True or false( 1-6)

1.   Miss McCarty spent more than 65 years washing and ironing clothes.

2.  Miss McCarty had much money.

3. Once Miss McCarty visited the White House.

4.  In 1967 her uncle died and left her a modest house in which she still lives.

5. She was afraid to fly.

6.  Miss McCarty's generosity inspired many to give money to poor people.

  Task 2. Choose a correct answer

1.    How old was Miss McCarty?

  What was her job?

People of how many generations were the clients of Oscola?

What did her mother leave her?

.  Miss McCarty's generosity inspired many to give money to … 

McCarty … and lived not a rich life.

The Royal Family

At present the British royal family is headed by Queen Elizabeth. When the Queen was born on the 21st of April 1926, her grandfather, King George V, was on the throne and her uncle was his heir. The death of her grandfather and the abdication of her uncle brought her father to the throne as King George VI.

As a child she studied constitutional history and law as well as art and music. In addition she learned to ride and acquired her enthusiasm for horses. As she grew older she began to take part in public life, making her first broadcast at the age of 14.

The marriage of the young Princess Elizabeth to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place in November 1947. She came to the throne after her father's death in 1952 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey in June 1953.

Among Queen Elizabeth's many duties are the regular visits she makes to foreign countries, and especially those of the Commonwealth, whose interests and welfare are very important to her. The Queen has allowed the BBC to make a documentary film about the every day of the royal family. She also started the tradition of the "walkabout", an informal feature of an otherwise formal royal visit, when she walks among the public crowds and stops to talk to some people.

The annual Christmas broadcast made by the Queen on radio and television has become a traditional and popular feature of the season, and there were widespread celebrations and special programmes of events in 1977 to mark her Silver Jubilee.

The Queen's husband, Duke of Edinburgh, was born in 1926 and served in the Royal Navy. He takes a great deal of interest in industry, in the achievements of young people (he founded Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in 1956) and in saving raise wild animals from extinction.

The Queen's heir is Charles, Prince of Wales, who was born in 1948, married Lady Diana Spencer and has two children, Prince William and Prince Harry. The Prince of Wales is well-known as a keen promoter of British interests.

In recent years he has become outspoken on such controversial topics as modern architecture, violence in films and on television, and the standard of English teaching in schools. His wife Diana, Princess of Wales (often called in mass media Princess Di), won the affection of many people by her modesty, shyness and beauty. Unfortunately, she died in a car accident in August, 1997.

The Queen's other children are Princess Anne (born in 1950), Prince Andrew (born in 1960) and Prince Edward (born in 1964). Anne, Princess Royal, has acquired a reputation for being arrogant, but in recent years has become quite popular with the general public.

The Queen is widely known for her interest in horses and horse-racing. She is now president of the Save the Children Fund, Chancellor of the University of London and carries out many public engagements.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. In 1986 he married Miss Sarah Ferguson (Fergie, for short) and has two daughters.

Prince Edward is keen on the theatre. This interest began while he was at university. He quit the Royal Marines, and is now pursuing a career with a theatrical company.

The Queen Mother, the widow of the late King George VI, celebrated her one hundred birthday in 2 000 and died in 2002. The Queen's only sister, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, is well-known for her charity work. 

Answer the questions

1. When was the Queen Elizabeth crowned?

What tradition did she start?

What did the Queen Elizabeth study as a child?

What does the Queen's husband take a great interest in?

What are the names of the Queen's other children?

Who did Prince Charles marry?

As a child Elizabeth studied music, art, law and history.

Philip married Elizabeth in November 1947.

Elizabeth was crowned in St Paul`s Cathedral in 1953

BBC made a documentary film about the royal family

The Queen has got four children

Elizabeth is interested in cooking

The British are often viewed as the most boring people in the world. They wear unimaginatively formal clothes, eat tasteless food, and practice slow sports and have a specific sense of humour which is not usually understood by foreigners. They are also said to be conservative, reserved and cool. Indeed, the British are not very open and spontaneous. They do not kiss or embrace by way of greeting so as not to allow familiarity. They always keep a certain distance and are not willing to manifest their feelings and emotions. It is not easy to make friends with them but once you have made a friend, it is a friend for

life.

       The English are said to be the masters of trivial conversation. Their “small talk” usually deals with the weather or some general questions as it is not accepted to interfere in someone’s private life. The British are very polite. They always queue when they are waiting for a bus and hold the door open for the person behind them. On the other hand, the English football fans are regarded as hooligans and vandals. Generally speaking, however, the British are well-mannered.

       “There is no place like home”, say the British. These words best express an Englishman’s traditional love of his home. About 70% of all the people have their own houses. Most homes have a garden in which the British spend a lot of time growing flowers and looking after the lawn — a national pride.

The English are completely crazy about pets. There are more animal rights groups in Britain than anywhere else in the world. Paradoxically, the English still love the hunting of wild animals, such as foxes or hares, with the aim of killing them.

It is not easy to decide on the typically British characteristics.

Not all English people are cold, uncommunicative or boring, not all of them are crazy about lawns or animals. Still, there is one thing that is typically British: a strong connection with tradition and a wish to keep their country’s uniqueness. Some people say that the British live in the past, but they are simply proud of their country.

The British are often viewed as __ 

They have __ which is not understood by the foreigners.

Talking to other people they always discuss __ .

The British always queue when they are __ .

If you have a British friend, this is __ .

Generally speaking, the British are very rude.