1. Jessica’s surname and address in Byford is Bowles, 18, Heath Street.

2. The woman wants to order a travel bag.

3. She has chosen a calculator.

Weather and climate

The year is divided into four seasons: they are spring, summer, autumn and winter.

When winter comes, we spend more time at home, because it is cold outside. Ponds, lakes, rivers and streams are frozen and the roads are sometimes covered with slippery ice or deep snow. We may get fog, sleet and frost. The trees are bare because better winds striped them off all leaves.

In spring nature awakens from its long winter sleep. The trees are filled with new life. The weather gets gradually warmer. The fields and meadows are covered with fresh green grass. The sky is blue and cloudless. At night millions of stars shine in the darkness.

Билет № 24( 68 )

Never forgotten

The first stone has been laid in the foundation of the new building of the Museum of Great Patriotic War History. A time capsule has been laid into the foundation and, by spring 2013, the building is to open. Architects have done their best to make the five-storey, multi-level building, with each of its four sections symbolising a year of the war.

The decision to set up a museum dedicated to the fight against Nazi fascism was taken in 1942. It opened its doors in Minsk in July 1944. Millions of people have visited it since and, with the passing years, the need for a new, more spacious and well-equipped building has become clear. Each year, over 150,000 people visit the museum. Of course, they hope to find objective information and leave with a lasting impression.

The new museum will be located near the centre of the Belarusian capital, on a hill near the Minsk-Hero-City Memorial and Pobedy Park. It will primarily reflect the heroic deeds of the Belarusian people and the big role of the Red Army in defeating Nazis. However, technical innovations, such as dynamically lit electronic maps, electronic catalogues, interactive facilities will help visitors to receive brighter impressions.

We cannot change the fact that fewer witnesses of those dramatic military battles survive today, but we can preserve the past for new generations. Most schools in Belarus have a small museum of military glory, set up by enthusiasts. Professional historians have done much to develop this patriotic movement, preparing dozens of educational textbooks for pupils and teachers, helping to explain the events of 1941 — 1945.

Why is interest in these distant events so keen? The territory of contemporary Belarus has seen over 200 wars in the past centuries and our nation showed heroism and patriotism on so many occasions. From 1941 — 1945, we fought against Europe's strongest army. Belarus paid a high price for its victory — 9,200 towns and villages were burnt and there were millions of victims. This can never be forgotten.

2. The author explains when the museum was created and how it has changed over the years. Find this extract and read it aloud.

3. What will the visitors be able to see in the new museum?

4. Why are people interested in the Museum of Great Patriotic War History?

1. This text is about the Museum of Great Patriotic War History, its foundation in July 1944 and about plans of the foundation of the new building of the museum on a hill in the centre of Minsk. The text emphasizes the role of heroism and patriotism of our nation during the Great Patriotic War.

2. The author explains when the museum was created and how it has changed over the years. Find this extract and read it aloud. (2 абзац) The decision to set up a museum dedicated to the fight against Nazi fascism was taken in 1942. It opened its doors in Minsk in July 1944. Millions of people have visited it since and, with the passing years, the need for a new, more spacious and well-equipped building has become clear. Each year, over 150,000 people visit the museum. Of course, they hope to find objective information and leave with a lasting impression.

3. What will the visitors be able to see in the new museum? They will be able to see a number of technical innovations, such as dynamically lit electronic maps, electronic catalogues, interactive facilities which will help visitors to receive brighter impressions.

4. Why are people interested in the Museum of Great Patriotic War History? Because our nation showed heroism and patriotism during many wars including the Great Patriotic War and this can never be forgotten.

Билет 24 ( 60 )

Speaker 1 : I’m interested in many aspects of political life, especially international relations. I believe it’s unfair that people in the third world, in Africa, for example, have to face so many problems they just cannot cope with and, at the same time, all the economically developed countries become richer and richer. There’s so much food wasted in one place, and, in another, people are dying.

Speaker 2 : Well, what I dislike about our politicians is that they constantly criticize previous governments but they don’t really do anything to improve the situation. They seem to have no idea about how to rule the country; some of the latest laws passed by the government are stupid. What is more, they don’t really care about the people who chose them and their only aim is to earn as much as possible.

Speaker 3 : Politics is important because it affects our life. If you want to be a responsible citizen, it’s your obligation to participate in the political life of your country. It’s a chance to influence the decisions that are important. Besides, if you don’t do anything, you have no right to criticize anybody. I have quite strong political views. I read the papers and watch the news. I know quite a lot about the views of various parties.