The call of the wild

1. First make a fire – modern travelers can use a camera lens to do this. Now choose your menu. Lion meat can taste like beef if it is slowly pot-roasted, and monkey meat is much improved by marinating it beforehand. Crocodile tail is a delicacy, a white fish meat which tastes similar to lobster. Ostrich eggs are very rich and creamy and are excellent scrambled. Big leaves will serve as extra plates; a small twig, peeled and sharpened, is a fork.

2. To prevent painful blisters on feet, put soap on the inside of your socks before setting out. Plants have been used in healing wounds from the earliest days. Yarrow used to be carried into battle to stop bleeding. It also has antiseptic qualities and can be chewed to relieve toothache. Crushed strawberries help to soothe sunburn.

3. Most insects are harmless but don’t rely on this. I was once bitten by a hunting spider. Within a short time my body had become paralyzed and my heart was hammering as though I’d run up a mountain. I was freezing cold, but at the same time sweat poured off me, and the pain was excruciating. It was two weeks before I recovered enough to walk.

4. Sand is lovely to sleep in. Wriggle until it fits your shape. To be warmest in your sleeping bag, you should take off your clothes so that your body heat circulates properly. Old newspaper provides excellent insulation so screw some up loosely inside your sleeping bag.

5. Travelling with pack animals can be a maddeningly slow business. Donkeys walk at about 4 km an hour for 12 hours; a sturdy camel carries 250 kg with ease, walks at about

5 km an hour and covers about 27 km a day. But its speed and distance are better if it marches by night and rests by day. To obtain a camel, look in desert headquarters for retired army animals. Nomads often do not want to sell because their animals represent wealth.

6. Shabby, scruffy clothes will affect people’s attitude to you; if you look respectable, you will usually be treated with respect.

IX. Выберите единственно правильный вариант.

1. You … have been delighted when you won the competition.

a) can, b) must, c) may, d) could.

2. He … have lost his way. He knows the city well!

a) would, b) might, c) mustn’t, d) can’t.

3. ‘ … you ride a horse along a public footpath?’ ‘No, it’s forbidden.’

a) may, b) can, c) must, d) might.

4. Like any top sportsmen he … train very hard when he was fighting.

a) must, b) should, c) has to, d) had to.

5. You haven’t eaten for a whole day? You … be starving.

a) must, b) ought to, c) shouldn’t, d) have to.

6. There was a woman with a big hat right in front of me. I … see a thing.

a) can’t, b) may not, c) need, d) couldn’t.

7. When you were ten, … you ride a bike?

a) might, b) could, c) had to, d) was able to,

8. I don't have enough money to take the bus, so I … walk home.

a) must, b) need, c) should, d) have to.

9. A good 1500-metre runner…run the race in four minutes. a) can't, b) was able, c) can, d) should to.

10. For days the rescuers looked for the lost climbers in the snow. On the fourth day they…reach them without too much trouble.

a) can, b) could, c) must, d) were able to.

11. Our teacher says we…speak English fluently in a few months.

a) can, b) will able to, c) are able to, d) will be able to.

12. I've been trying for hours, but still I…get through on the phone.

a) can, b) can't to, c) haven't been able to, d) haven't able to.

13. Shall I call the police? - ... .

a) Yes, you shall, b) Yes, you will, c) Do, please, d) No, you shan't.

14. Your handwriting …clear, or no one will be able to read it.

a) can't be, b) must, c) must be, d) mustn't be.

15. You…a nuisance when you're a guest in someone's house. a) must, b) must be, c) mustn't be, d) can.