I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.

Mobile phones

From children to senior citizens, mobile phones have become a craze¹ as a way of staying ahead with the technology. With our fast lifestyles, we have no time to meet our relatives or friends and are left with the only option of talking over the phone. Here comes the need of mobile phones, which allow us to stay connected wherever we are and whenever we need to.

Everybody today owns at least a basic mobile phone. What makes it easy to use is its user­friendly nature, small size and its numerous attractive features. However, people are always eager to replace their mobile phones with the latest models having more advanced fea­tures.

As the technology is scaling new heights, mobile phones are becoming cheaper and cheaper and the customer is getting more for less. A great way of amusing yourself is by playing games on your mobile phone. If you want to store your precious moments, you can use its video recording feature. Mobile phones can become expressions of who we are by get­ting mobile ringtones, wallpapers, which turn your phone into a unique device.

Whatever may be said against mobile phones their advantages have always scored over their disadvantages. They have proved useful for every purpose. Nothing is as comfortable as a mobile phone for communicating over a distance. You cannot be present at the same time at more than one place, but if required you can just make use of your mobile phone and get your work done.

Mobile phones have def initely become the most vital part of our lives. It is hard to imagine life without mobiles. Indeed, mobile phones keep you connected round the clock. They are now inexpensive, easy to use, comfortable and equipped with almost every latest feature you desire. Today, a technologically advanced mobile phone can perform as many tasks as well as that of a personal computer. Even remote countries have started having mobile phone services.

¹ a craze [kreIz] идея фикс, пунктик

2. The author explains why people need mobile phones nowadays. F ind this extract and read it aloud.

3. What features can be found in modern mobile phones?

4. Why are mobile phones a vital part of our life?

II Listen to Tina talking about a nasty experience she had and answer the questions below.

1. Who did Tina go to the skating-rink with?

2. What happened to her there?

3. How was she saved?

Script:

When I was eleven years old, I had an accident. I get scared even now when I think about it. I went ice­skating near my house. It was the first time that I’d gone ice skating, so I was nervous and I wasn’t sure how to skate.

I went with a friend who was very good at it, and she spent some time teaching me, but I didn’t make much progress. I think she got fed up with me, so she left and I went off skating by myself. As soon as she left, I fell over, then again and again. In the end I got bored, so I took off my skates and just walked around on the ice in my shoes.

Suddenly, I stepped on something that wasn’t hard. What was it? It was a weak place in the ice! When I stepped on it, the ice broke and I fell in — I sank under the ice. I struggled and struggled but couldn’t get out. I was getting very frightened. Then, fortunately, a man came to help me. He grabbed¹ my arms and pulled² me up out of the water onto the ice. So I’m still alive today, but even now, whenever I think about that time, I feel uncomfortable.

And I don’t want to go skating again.

¹ to grab [grQb] схватить

² to pull [pUl] тянуть

III Let’s talk about sport.

1. What do you do to keep f it?

2. Do you agree that bad habits, like smoking, can be dangerous? Why (not)?

3. What questions will you ask a professional sportsman?

4. What can you advise a person who doesn’t know what kind of sport to take up?

5. Sport develops character and team spirit. Can you add any other points in favour of sport?

Билет № 20