Text 32

Read the text and divide it into logical parts. Summarize each part.

Lego is the best brick on the block

Lego, makers of the world-famous plastic bricks, isn't happy. An EU court has upheld a decision this week to cancel the bricks' trademark status. The reason given is that the brick in question, beloved by millions of children – and adults when no one's looking – worldwide, is a functional, technical shape that is not the unique property of one company.

Lego's patent on its bricks did in fact run out some years ago; in theory, any of us could have a bash at making lookalike Lego.

Does it matter? It certainly matters to Lego. It also matters very much to the Canadian toy maker MEGA Brands, which has made Lego-like bricks since the mid-1980s and is now one of the top 10 toy brands in North America. This Montreal based company founded in 1967 by the husband and wife team, Victor and Rita Bertrand, has challenged Lego in court, and won - for now, at any rate.

But, does it matter to you and me? Perhaps not. No one will force you to buy MEGA Brands' brick-locking equivalent and Lego is such a big name that it seems unlikely sales will be particularly affected by the EU court's decision. North America, however, is a huge market and Lego will inevitably be annoyed that its "unique" product is no longer so.

The Canadian bricks come in four sizes, Maxi, launched in 1985, Mini [1989], Micro [1991] and Nano [2004]. Maxi and Mini feature rounded corners to make building easier and, I suppose, safe for tiny fingers.

Even if you were to side wholeheartedly with Lego, it's worth remembering that the original wooden Lego bricks shaped by Ole Kirk Christiansen in 1949 were, in fact, derived from the Kiddicraft bricks created two years earlier by the English writer, broadcaster and designer, Hilary Page. Christiansen had been toying with the idea of what we know as Lego since 1934, but it was Page who really set the Lego ball – if that's the right word – rolling. And, Page, who – possibly overwhelmed by his failure to take his interlocking brick on to the world market as Christiansen did with Lego – committed suicide in 1957. So, you might say that Lego is being just a bit disingenuous battling with MEGA Brands.

There are many examples of toys and products in general that look much like one another, but each will have its fans. Plus, surely there is a certain pleasure to be had in thinking you've invested in the real thing rather than the pretender to the throne?

Text 33 color quiz

“Just like people, colors have а distinct personality. It’s this notion that the COLOR QUIZ takes advantage of by giving you а list of questions so you can figure out which color matches your own personality.”

1. Read the descriptions and match the colors with the characteristics:

red, brown, black, blue, white, pink, green, yellow, gray, silver, purple, orange

You are ambitious You are very You are You’re dutiful

traditional sophisticated and methodical

You’re а team You love nature You are You’re easy

player and very and simplicity romantic and going and have

sociable tenderhearted а good attitude

You are You have а sense You are strong You are

outgoing of style and generous cautious