3 State the main idea of the text.

а) Lego is the best toy for generations of people.

b) The story of the most successful business in the world.

c) Lego’s good idea has brought both success in business and children’s love.

d) The story of the Lego company.

4. Go to page 82 . Read another story about Lego “Lego is the best brick on the block”. What new information does it contain? text 20

Read the text ( time limit is 25 min. ) and retell it in Russian.

Sleek and super-fast: London's new Javelin trains are a design triumph

With their crisp, grown-up livery of dark blue, the new Javelin trains unveiled yesterday – class 395 as they are properly known in railway circles – are undeniably good-looking. The 29 six-car electric sets now going into high-speed service between Ashford and St Pancras, which will provide the mainstay service from there to the 2012 London Olympics at Stratford, have been designed and built by Hitachi. This is the company that pioneered, and has nurtured, several generations of the famous bullet trains that spear their way up and down Japan. They have sleek, eel-like styling as well as formidable performance – Javelins have been timed at 30 minutes flat for the run from Ashford in Kent to London St Pancras at an average speed of 114mph. Conventional commuter trains take all of 80 minutes.

These trains are coolly stylish. Too cool, perhaps, for some. A number of those who have ridden on the Javelins say that their interiors are too stark: seats do not line up with windows, lighting is antiseptic. There is no provision for catering. The standard-class interiors have been designed to resemble efficient inter-city jet airliner cabins, making maximum use of space and with no concessions to design conceits. This is no-frills railway travel.

In engineering terms, however, the class 395 is a major advance for British commuters. The coaches have a double skin of welded, recyclable aluminium; they should be immensely strong. Like Eurostar trains, they can run on existing tracks supplied by 750v DC as well as on the new 25kv AC high speed line through Kent, so they will make their way, eventually, to secondary lines. I have travelled on one, and the ride was smooth and quiet. The noisiest thing by far, in fact, was the commotion caused by fellow passengers. Perhaps some of the Javelins can be kitted out more luxuriously – I rather like the idea of adding in compartments, teak tables with white linen, silver service, curtains, antimacassars and foot warmers – but I think even the most seasoned commuter will warm to the design of these sleek and silent railway ambassadors.

Text 21

I. Read the title of the story. Make а list of questions you think the story will answer.

II. Read the story. Which questions has the story answered? nokia 6310

In recent months, several people – from cab drivers to fellow journalists – have told me to hang on to my 6310. A good phone that, they chorus. A classic. Is it? It looks a bit like a tiny coffin to me, a miniature hi-tech version of an Egyptian sarcophagus. But, I've just glanced through what appears to be an almost infinite number of websites concerned with the minutiae of mobile phones, and the 6310 does indeed appear to be a well-regarded design. Why? For the same reason that I'm unwilling to give up my 6310 unless it gives up on me. It is, as far as these things go, simple and reliable. And, it's powered by a battery that usually lasts a week before it needs to be recharged. A huge improvement on the mobiles I used before it.

I like the way my 6310 has enabled me to connect my laptop to the satellite phone system and send articles to Guardian from the most remote places. I like the fact that it works anywhere in the world and yet, no one would give it a second glance. Here is a mobile free from cameras and pretty much every other superfluous gadget, that allows me to communicate wherever there is a signal to be picked up.

The 6310 went on sale in 2001, so, by mobile phone standards, it's already a museum piece a gizmo from a distant past when all many people wanted, or needed, was a mobile to simply make calls. It seems, though, that the 6310 enjoys a loyal following, and there's a lively market for refurbished, secondhand models selling for around £60.

So here's an interesting thing: an everyday design classic that certainly works well, but can hardly be called good-looking. Maybe you think it is (perhaps it looks better in a silver casing?). Mine was originally finished in bling black-and-gold – if you can recall John Player Special cigarette packets or JPS Formula One Lotuses of the 1970s, you'll know the sort of thing.

Was the black and gold 6310 casing a knowing example of retro design, I wonder?

1. Do you share the opinion of the author?

2. What model of a mobile phone have you got?

3. Do you like its design?

4. What are the main features of your mobile phone? Name its advantages and disadvantages.