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Файл:English Grammar step III Грамматика английского языка шаг III. Учебное пособие по английскому языку
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Their changes meant fewer cars on roads, less packaging waste, and positive
environmental effects from energy savings. If everyone did this, the impact would
be huge. Even if you can't stop shopping for a whole year, you can join the anticonsumerist movement by not buying unnecessary things. Buy Nothing groups
show companies that people won't accept the environmental and human costs of
overconsumption.
Adapted from https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/b2-
reading/buy-nothing-movement
1. Where do people buy most of their clothes nowadays?
a) In shops
b) On social media
c) Online
d) At charity shops
2. What is the main problem with people buying too many clothes?
a) Clothes go out of fashion quickly
b) People cannot afford to buy them
c) Charity shops cannot sell them all
d) Most of the clothes end up in landfills
3. What is the 'buy nothing' movement trying to achieve?
a) Encourage people to stop buying things they don't need
b) Convince brands to make more expensive clothes
c) Persuade charities to accept more donated clothes
d) D. Promote the use of credit cards for shopping
4. How much money did the two friends in Canada save by not buying anything for
a year?
a) $5,000
b) $10,000
c) $25,000
d) D. $55,000
5. What is the main message of the 'buy nothing' movement?
a) People should stop shopping completely
b) Brands should make cheaper clothes
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c) Charities should accept more donated clothes
d) Consumers should be more careful about what they buy
TEXT 2
Read the text and choose correct options in questions 1-5.
Some people say the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
is not original because its story is very similar to the first Star Wars film from
1977. Both films use an old story pattern called the 'hero myth'. George Lucas
used ideas from Joseph Campbell's 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces,
which later showed Star Wars' hero Luke Skywalker on its cover.
Campbell's book looks at myths from around the world and describes the
'monomyth', where a hero goes on a journey, faces challenges, and comes back
with a reward. This story has been told for thousands of years, like in The Odyssey
and Harry Potter.
George Lucas was one of the first directors to use the 17 stages of the hero's
journey in his film. Usually, the hero starts with a normal life, but something
happens that leads them to an adventure. In Star Wars, Luke lives with his aunt
and uncle fixing robots. He finds a message from Princess Leia, which starts his
adventure.
Campbell says the hero first says no to the adventure, but then a mentor helps
them start their journey into a new world. The hero faces tests, fights enemies, and
makes friends. For Luke, Obi-Wan is the mentor, Han Solo and the robots are
friends, and Darth Vader is the enemy on the Death Star.
The hero then overcomes problems and faces their biggest challenge. They
often face danger or loss, which helps them find strength to win. Luke loses ObiWan to Darth Vader, which gives him strength later. When heroes win, they return
changed. Luke changes when he remembers Obi-Wan's words, 'Use the force', and
uses it to destroy the Death Star. He begins to become a Jedi, and the hero story
continues in The Return of the Jedi, with Yoda as his mentor.
Adapted from https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/b2-
reading/star-wars-hero-myth
113
1. Why do some people consider Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force
Awakens unoriginal?
a) Because it uses CGI special effects.
b) Because it features new characters alongside old ones.
c) Because its plot closely resembles the original Star Wars film, which also
follows a common story pattern.
d) Because it was not directed by George Lucas.
2. Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces describes the 'monomyth',
which is:
a) A type of mythical creature with a single horn.
b) A story pattern where a hero goes on a journey, faces challenges, and returns
transformed.
c) A guide to creating believable alien characters.
d) A specific type of science fiction novel.
3. In the original Star Wars film, which event most directly begins Luke
Skywalker's heroic journey?
a) Luke's aunt and uncle are killed.
b) Luke meets Han Solo in a cantina.
c) Luke discovers a message from Princess Leia hidden in a droid.
d) Luke sees Obi-Wan Kenobi use the Force.
4. According to Campbell, what role does a mentor play in the hero's journey?
a) They provide the hero with financial support.
b) They are the primary antagonist that the hero must defeat.
c) They help the hero begin their journey into a new world after the hero initially
refuses.
d) They betray the hero at a critical moment.
5. How does Luke Skywalker's experience with Obi-Wan's death fit into the hero's
journey, as described by the text?
a) It demonstrates that Luke is incapable of becoming a Jedi.
b) It proves that Darth Vader is too powerful to be defeated.
c) It is a loss that helps Luke find the strength to eventually win.
d) It makes Luke give up on his mission and return home.
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TEXT 3
Read the text and choose correct options in questions 1-5.
The Marshmallow Test is a psychology experiment carried out with a group
of pre-school children in California in 1968 which led to the development of ideas
that are still relevant today.
In 1968, Walter Mischel set a challenge for a group of children aged three to
five at the nursery school his daughters attended in California. A researcher
offered each of them a marshmallow and then left them alone in the room. If they
could resist eating the colourful sweet until the researcher returned up to 15
minutes later, they would be given a second sweet. Some children ate the
marshmallow straight away, but most would engage in unintentionally comic
attempts to resist temptation. They looked all around the room to avoid seeing the
sweet, covered their eyes, wiggled around in their seats or sang to themselves.
They pulled funny faces, played with their hair, picked up the marshmallow and
just pretended to take a bite. They sniffed it, pushed it away from them or covered
it up. If two children were doing the experiment together, they engaged in a
conversation about how they could work together to reach the goal of doubling
their pleasure. About a third of the children, the researchers reported, managed to
wait long enough to get the second treat.
What Mischel, a clinical psychologist, wanted was to understand how children
learned to deal with temptation. Over the following years, the group of children
remained friends. When Mischel chatted to his daughters about their former
classmates, he began to notice an interesting pattern: the children who had
exhibited the most restraint in the ‘marshmallow test’ were doing better in life
than their peers. He decided to investigate further. For more than 40 years, Mischel
followed the lives of the nursery students. His findings were extraordinary. It turns
out that being able to resist a treat at the age of five is a strong predictor of success
in life: you are more likely to perform well at school and develop self-confidence
and less likely to become obese, develop addictions or get divorced.
Mischel still teaches psychology at Columbia University and has just written
The Marshmallow Test, a book summing up half a century of research. When
Mischel was young, his family was forced to move from a comfortable life in
Austria to the US. They settled in Brooklyn, where they opened a bargain
shopping store. Business was never good and Mischel believes that moving from
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‘upper middle class to extreme poverty’ shaped his outlook. He is concerned with
trying to reduce the impact of deprivation on an individual’s life chances. The
conclusion he draws from his marshmallow research is positive: some people may
be naturally disciplined but the ability to resist temptation is a skill that can also
be taught. Teach children self-control early and you can improve their prospects.
However, no single characteristic – such as self-control – can explain success
or failure. Some critics have pointed out that Mischel’s original subjects were
themselves children of university professors and graduate students – not exactly a
representative sample. Other scientists noted that variations in home environment
could account for differences: stable homes and one-child families encourage self-
control, whereas in less stable homes and those with many children, if you don’t
grab a marshmallow now there won’t be any left in 15 minutes. Mischel answers
these critics by noting that studies in a wide variety of schools found similar
results. He acknowledges that the environment shapes our ability to resist
temptation and observes that genetics plays a role too. But he still believes that
the ability to resist temptation can be learnt and encouraged. I asked Mischel
whether self-control comes easily to him. ‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘I have great
difficulties in waiting. It’s still difficult for me to wait in a queue in the bank.’
https://englishpracticetest.net
1. What was the primary goal of Walter Mischel’s Marshmallow Test?
a) To examine how children interact with one another.
b) To understand how children learn to deal with temptation.
c) To determine whether children prefer marshmallows over other sweets.
d) To study the effects of colorful sweets on children’s behavior.
2. According to the text, what did Mischel observe about the children who exhibited
the most restraint during the Marshmallow Test?
a) They were more likely to grow up in wealthy families.
b) They tended to have better life outcomes than their peers.
c) They were more likely to become researchers themselves.
d) They performed worse in school but were happier in life.
3. What key conclusion does Mischel draw from his research on self-control?
a) Self-control is entirely determined by genetics.
b) Self-control cannot be taught and must come naturally.
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c) Self-control is a skill that can be taught and improves life prospects.
d) Self-control has no significant impact on success or failure.
4. Which criticism of the Marshmallow Test is mentioned in the text?
a) The experiment only involved children who didn’t like marshmallows.
b) The original sample group was not representative of the general population.
c) The results were inconsistent and could not be replicated.
d) The experiment ignored the influence of genetics on self-control.
5. How does Mischel respond to criticisms about the role of environment in shaping
self-control?
a) He denies that the environment has any influence on self-control.
b) He argues that self-control is solely determined by genetics.
c) He acknowledges the role of environment but emphasizes that self-control can
still be taught.
d) He admits the Marshmallow Test results were flawed and inconclusive.
117
TRANSLATION PRACTICE
TEXT I
Animals are amazing creatures that live all around us. They exist in every part
of the world, from the cold Arctic to the hot deserts. People often love animals
because they bring joy and help in many ways. Every day, scientists discover new
species, and they learn more about how animals live and survive.
Some animals live in the wild, while others stay with humans as pets. Dogs,
for example, are loyal friends and help people by guarding houses or guiding the
blind. Cats, on the other hand, love to relax and often sleep for many hours during
the day. Farmers also keep animals like cows, chickens, and sheep to provide food
for people. Sheep produce wool, cows give milk, and chickens lay eggs.
Right now, many animals are in danger because humans destroy their habitats.
When people cut down forests, animals lose their homes. Governments and
organizations around the world are trying to protect wildlife. Last year, many
volunteers planted trees to create new homes for animals.
In the future, humans will need to work harder to save animals and their
environments. If we protect them, animals will continue to live happily and make
our world more beautiful. Everyone can help by learning about animals and taking
care of nature.
Animals teach us many lessons. They show us how to be kind, strong, and
patient. Have you ever watched a bird building its nest? It works carefully and
never gives up. We can learn so much from them!
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TEXT II
Technology has changed our lives in incredible ways. Over the past century,
humans have created machines and devices that make life easier, faster, and more
connected. Before the invention of computers, people had relied on typewriters and
handwritten letters to communicate. By the 1980s, computers had become more
common, and since then, the world has never been the same.
For decades, scientists and engineers had been working on improving technology
before the first personal computer was invented. Since then, they have been
creating new inventions nonstop. Today, we use smartphones, tablets, and
smartwatches to stay connected. Right now, millions of people around the world are
using technology to study, work, and entertain themselves. Can you imagine what
the world would look like without the internet?
In the future, technology will be advancing even more quickly. By 2050, robots and
artificial intelligence will have become a normal part of everyday life. Some
experts believe that people will be living on Mars, thanks to space technology!
Others think that more inventions will have solved global problems like climate
change and food shortages.
However, technology also brings challenges. In recent years, people have been
worrying about how much time they spend on their devices. Some studies show
that too much screen time can harm our health and relationships. By the time we
realize this, we may have already developed bad habits. So, it’s important to find
balance and use technology wisely.
Looking ahead, we should ask ourselves how we want technology to shape our
future. Will it make us more connected, or will it divide us? If humans continue to
use technology responsibly, it could help solve many of the world’s problems. But
if we rely on it too much, we might forget how to connect with each other in real
life.
Technology has been a part of human progress for centuries, and it will continue to
affect our lives in ways we can’t yet imagine. What do you think the next big
invention will be?
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TEXT III
Space exploration is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. For centuries,
people had been dreaming of reaching the stars before they finally made it happen.
In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space. By that time,
scientists had already launched several satellites, but sending a person into space
was a huge step forward. Just eight years later, in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz
Aldrin landed on the Moon. Before they arrived, the world had been watching the
mission closely, waiting for news of their success.
Since the Moon landing, space programs around the world have been
working on new ways to explore the universe. Over the last few decades,
astronauts have visited space stations, conducted experiments, and even stayed in
space for months at a time. By the 2000s, private companies like SpaceX had
entered the space race, making space travel more affordable and accessible. Right
now, scientists are developing rockets that could take humans to Mars. Some
experts believe that by 2030, people will be living on another planet.
The road to progress has not always been smooth. In the past, space
missions have faced challenges, including accidents and technical failures. For
example, in 1986, the Challenger space shuttle tragically exploded shortly after
takeoff. NASA had been preparing for that mission for months, but one small
mistake led to disaster. Incidents like this remind us how dangerous space
exploration can be. However, every failure has taught scientists important lessons,
and they have been improving technology ever since.
Looking to the future, space exploration will continue to change our
understanding of the universe. By the end of this century, humans will have
explored distant planets, and we might have discovered signs of alien life.
Scientists predict that space stations will be orbiting not just Earth but also other
planets. At the same time, they will be solving problems like how to grow food in
space and how to protect astronauts from radiation.
If we look back, it’s clear that space exploration has always inspired people to
dream big. But each success has required years of hard work. For example, before
astronauts step onto Mars, scientists will have spent decades testing equipment
and preparing for the journey. Without this careful planning, future
missions might fail.
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SPEAKING PRACTICE
1. Expressing yourself.
Complete the following expressions about yourself.
1. Normally I don’t…, but today I am ….
2. I think I will…in 5 years time.
3. When I was a child I…, but now…I don’t.
4. I will definitely…
5. I hope in the future I…..
6. I will have …. by the time I am 30.
7. I have never… in my life.
8. Yesterday at 7 o’clock in the evening I …
9. I don’t often … because…
10. I had never… before I went to university.
11. I am planning to …
12. By the year 2050 I will …
13. This time tomorrow I will be…
14. I realized that I had…
15. I am going to …as soon as…
16. I have been…a lot lately.
17. I am thinking of…
18. I clearly remember the day when I…
19. When I met my best friend, …
20. In my life I have…. The first time I did it was...
2. Work in pairs. Find out your partner’s daily routines, habits, duties. Ask
him / her questions using How often…? / What do you…? / When do
you…? / Which… do you prefer?
3. Work in a group. Think of the person who is really important to you. Try
to recall where and when you met each other. Tell your group about this
person. Describe the situation when you met. Try to include a lot of
details. What was the weather like? What were you wearing? Did you like
each other at first sight? What did you talk about? If it’s one of your
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