Text І
American English spelling differs from British English spelling largely because of one man,
American lexicographer Noah Webster. In addition to his well-known American Dictionary of theEnglish Language, Webster published The American Spelling Book (1783, with many subsequenteditions), which became one of the most widely used schoolbooks in American history. Webster’s books sought to standardize spelling in the United States by promoting the use of an American language that intentionally differed from British English. The development of a specifically American variety of English mirrored the new country’s separate political development. Webster’s most successful changes were spellings with or instead of our (honor, labor for the British honour, labour);with er instead of re (center, theater for the British centre, theatre); with an s instead of a c (defense, license for the British defence, licence); with a final ck instead of que (check, mask for the British cheque, masque); and without a final k (traffic, public, now also used in British English, for the older traffick, publick). Later spelling reform created a few other differences, such as program for British programme. Canadian spelling varies between the British and American forms, more British in eastern Canada and more American in western Canada.
Task 1. Choose the correct variant.
1. The passage mainly discusses:
A Noah Webster’s literary heritage; B the varieties of spelling;
C Webster’s political preferences; D popular schoolbooks in America.
2. The passage implies that written British and American words:
A look absolutely different; B are absolutely the same;
C may differ; D come from Canada.
3. It may be inferred from the passage that Webster’s scientific interest was in:
A standards; B vocabulary;
C editing books; D political reforms.
4. The changes between American and British English were generated:
A on purpose; B by accident;
C in Canada; D by politicians.
5. The word “subsequent” in line 4 may most probably mean the following::
A different; B expensive;
C following; D literary.
6. One can make a conclusion that Webster’s changes:
A simplified the language; B were of no importance;
C made the language more difficult for understanding;
D developed the language used in Great Britain.
7. The word “mirrored” in line 8 is closest in meaning to:
A portrayed; B reflected;
C generated; D prevented.
8. It can be seen from the passage that the changes brought into American English must have:
A developed a completely new language; B stopped using dictionaries;
C required spelling books; D influenced the original British English.
9. The passage states that in Canada:
A people use the only variety of the English language;
B people live only in the east and the west of the country;
C there may be language misunderstanding between people from different regions of the
country;
D people use different grammar rules compared to the US.
10. The passage implies that of the two books mentioned in it:
A neither was published; B both were printed at the same time;
C the Spelling Book was published before the Dictionary;
D the Dictionary was published before the Spelling Book.
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Task 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
B C B A C A B D C C
Text IІ: Main Dish — Pasta with Ham and Apples
1–2 servings
macaroni or rotini pasta, cooked
200–300 grams of ham, diced
1 onion, diced
1 apple, peeled and chopped
butter
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon oregano or basil
Dice ham and onions. Skin and coarsely chop apple. Melt a little butter in a frying pan. Cook
the onions in the butter until they are translucent. Add oregano or basil to the onion. Add the ham. Cook in butter for one minute. Add the apple. Once the apple if soft but not mushy, add enough extra butter to make a sauce for your pasta. Add a little sugar to offset the saltiness of the ham. Pour the mixture over your cooked pasta and serve.
Task 1. Choose the correct variant.
1. To make this dish, you will need
A 5 ingredients ; B 9 ingredients;
C 7 ingredients; D 6 ingredients.
2. The purpose of the butter is to
A give flavor to the sauce; B cook the onion;
C mix the ingredients together; D keep the pasta from sticking together.
3. Based on the recipe, this dish is most likely to taste
A slightly sweet; B slightly salty;
C very salty; D slightly sour.
4. This dish would probably be served
A as an appetizer; B for the main course;
C for dessert; D as a salad.
5. According to this recipe, you may choose to
A leave out the pasta; B add additional flavors if desired;
C add some sweetness; D decorate the dish with spices.
6. All of these are needed for this dish except
A ham; B garlic;
C sugar; D onion.
7. “Mushy” probably means
A the same texture as potato puree; B the same texture as cooked onions;
C crisp and crunchy like an apple; D fried in butter.
8. “Translucent” probably means
A white and hard; B sticking together after cooking;
C brown at the edges; D clear.
9. “Rotini” is probably
A like macaroni; B like buckwheat;
C like puree D like salo.
10. From the recipe, you might guess that
A this cook likes to eat salty food;
B oregano and basil have almost the same flavor;
C after cooking, there will be little liquid in the frying pan;
D pasta is a lot like kasha.
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Task 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
C B A B C B A D A B
Text III
Hi, Benji!
I just wanted to say a big thank you for the U2 tickets that you gave me for my birthday. The
concert was on last night and it was the most amazing show I have ever seen. This is the first time I have seen U2 play live and it’s something I won’t easily forget. Let me tell you all about it.
We arrived in plenty of time and got a really good place, right in front of the stage. The atmos-
phere was electric and by the time the band came on stage, the crowd was going wild! The group
played lots of their old favorites but also some of their new stuff. It was brilliant. There were also
some great special effects, like fireworks, and there were two huge screens on either side of the stage so that everyone could see Bono strutting around. He was wearing his trademark glasses — so cool!
It’s a real pity that you couldn’t go to the concert with us. Never mind, we’ll make sure that you can come next time!
That’s about all my news for the moment. Once again, thanks a million for the tickets.
See you,
Seamus
Task 3. Mark sentences as T( true) or F (false).
11. Seamus didn’t have to pay Benji for the U2 tickets.
12. Seamus had never been to a U2 concert.
13. He was running late and got to the concert in a hurry.
14. It was very crowded so he was at the back, far away from the stage.
15. There was a problem with the electricity at the concert.
16. Some of the crowd became angry when the band was late coming on stage.
17. The group played both old and recent songs.
18. There were fireworks during the show.
19. The lead singer, Bono, was not on the stage.
20. Seamus went to the concert on his own.
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Task 3
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
T T F F F F T T F F