Му sister Edna, with all the advantages of youth, was, strangely enough, less tolerant. She admitted that Robert had a good heart; but she couldn’t accept him, as my mother (A1) ... him, for my sake. Her narrow ideas what was ‘proper’ (A2) ... sharply with Robert’s natural lack of respect for appearances; and she (A3) ... at her mother’s familiarity with the eccentric little man. I (A4)..., not only in sister’s case, but in others as well, that we of the younger generation are not nearly so cheerful and so impulsive as some of our elders. I often see old people (A5) ... wide-eyed and excited at the promise of some anticipated pleasure which totally (A6) ... to upset the calm of their grandchildren. (A7) ... we, I wonder, such genuine boys and girls as our seniors were when they were young?

Joanne Rowling became famous almost overnight. She is the author of a highly successful series of books for young people, Joanne (A1) ... of being a writer for as long as she can remember. In fact, she (A2) ... up stories and characters ever since she was a schoolgirl. When she was still quite young, the family moved to a town called Chepstow. A family who lived nearby were called Potter, and she used their name for the hero of her books. She and her sister, Di, attended a state school in the town. Joanne's talent for telling stories (A3) ... her a popular figure in the School. During breaks between lessons, she (A4) ... by a crowd of friends, anxious to hear the latest story she (A5) ... .

When she left school, Joanne succeeded in getting a place at university. After graduating, she married a journalist but, sadly, the couple soon (A6) ... up and she moved to Edinburgh. She had no income and couldn't even afford a plastic folder to send her new book to potential publishers. However one wonderful day a publisher (A7) ... 'yes'. It was the greatest day of her life.

As she rang the doorbell, Susan felt a mixture of fear and excitement. She (A1) ... for this moment for a longtime yet she doubted if it was the right decision to go there and to ring the doorbell. She hoped no one (A2) ... to open the door. Susan was only four when she (A3) ... her father for the last time. Her mother (A4)... about him and about the reason why he had left them. Susan had seen a few pictures of her father but she had never known what to feel towards him. Susan didn't know what to expect from this meeting. She (A5) ... her father for more than twenty years. She (A6) ... she should leave when the door opened. Susan couldn't say anything but there was no need. A few seconds later thcy (A7) ... in each other's arms and they stayed there for several long minutes.

Joanne Rowling became famous almost overnight. She is the author of a highly successful series of books for young people, Joanne (A1) ... of being a writer for as long as she can remember. In fact, she (A2) ... up stories and characters ever since she was a schoolgirl. When she was still quite young, the family moved to a town called Chepstow. A family who lived nearby were called Potter, and she used their name for the hero of her books. She and her sister, Di, attended a state school in the town. Joanne's talent for telling stories (A3) ... her a popular figure in the School. During breaks between lessons, she (A4) ... by a crowd of friends, anxious to hear the latest story she (A5) ... .

When she left school, Joanne succeeded in getting a place at university. After graduating, she married a journalist but, sadly, the couple soon (A6) ... up and she moved to Edinburgh. She had no income and couldn't even afford a plastic folder to send her new book to potential publishers. However one wonderful day a publisher (A7) ... 'yes'. It was the greatest day of her life.

No one knows who invented maps, or when or even where. The oldest known examples date back over 4,000 years, but the idea may be far older. It is not surprising that maps (A1) ... many travellers to great achievements. It is almost impossible to look at a map without wondering what (A2) ... in the place on it. Countless explorers have been inspired by maps to test the truth of what the maps describe and explore their frontiers. However, the lack of accurate maps almost (A3) ... to a mutiny (мятеж) aboard Columbus‟s ship in 1492. More recently there was a near disaster during the Apollo space mission. The astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin came frightfully close to crashing into a huge crater that lunar cartographers (A4) ... to mark. Even now, cartographers (A5) ... the world. Some jungle-covered areas of South and Central America haven‟t yet been mapped in full detail. We (A6) ... better maps of other planets than we do of our own. Many years (A7) ... before we have an atlas of the Earth as good as the one we have for the Moon.

I was beginning to feel a little nervous. It was my first day as the personal assistant to a company director. I (A1) ... at the interview that I could speak French but it wasn’t true. I hoped they (A2) ... out that I had been lying. At first everything went well. My boss was very helpful and he explained to me what I had to do. Then I (A3) ... to my colleagues, who were all very friendly. Just as I was sitting down at my desk the phone rang. As soon as I picked up the receiver I started to panic. A woman (A4) ... to me in French and naturally, I couldn’t understand a word she (A5) .... When the boss saw how upset I was, he (A6) ... the phone from me. To my surprise he answered the woman in English and then he burst out laughing. Afterwards he told me it was his mother. She (A7) ... to the dentist’s and was having difficulty speaking properly. She had been talking to me in English not French!

Joanne Rowling became famous almost overnight. She is the author of a highly successful series of books for young people, Joanne (A1) ... of being a writer for as long as she can remember. In fact, she (A2) ... up stories and characters ever since she was a schoolgirl. When she was still quite young, the family moved to a town called Chepstow. A family who lived nearby were called Potter, and she used their name for the hero of her books. She and her sister, Di, attended a state school in the town. Joanne's talent for telling stories (A3) ... her a popular figure in the School. During breaks between lessons, she (A4) ... by a crowd of friends, anxious to hear the latest story she (A5) ... .

When she left school, Joanne succeeded in getting a place at university. After graduating, she married a journalist but, sadly, the couple soon (A6) ... up and she moved to Edinburgh. She had no income and couldn't even afford a plastic folder to send her new book to potential publishers. However one wonderful day a publisher (A7) ... 'yes'. It was the greatest day of her life.

These days the media is full (A8) ... stories of celebrities’ private lives: their relationships, problems with weight and so on. In fact, (A9) ... public seems to have (A10) ... never-ending appetite for this type of gossip. It could be argued that celebrities invite publicity, for instance (A11) ... giving interviews or welcoming the media into their homes. However, there are several reasons why celebrities deserve a certain level of privacy. Firstly, while some people actively seek (A12) ... fame, others do not. Secondly, reporters are more interested in selling a sensational story than in investigating something (A13) ... genuine importance. Lastly, the unwelcome attentions of reporters and photographers can put celebrities under great stress. Just think of Michael Jackson or Princess Diana. (A14) ... balance, I believe that celebrities have the right (A15) ... the same kind of privacy as anyone else.

Every October I like to go to France (A8) ... my holidays. Last year I visited the Loire Valley and I had the best two weeks of my life. I had such (A9)... good fun I cried when it was time to leave. When I arrived (A10)... Calais, the sun was shining and I was glad I had decided to go (A11)... camping. There are lots of campsites in the Loire, and I found a small one near a beautiful castle. King Louis XIV had (A12) ... castle built in order to impress a princess he wanted to marry, but she rejected him for an English Duke. I fell in love with (A13) ... place at once. Although October is late (A14) ... camping, there were quite a lot of people staying there. It was highly recommended in my guidebook and a friend of mine had also suggested to go to that particular site. Most of the other campers were around (A15) ... my age and I made friends with several of them. Six of us have agreed to meet there again next year for another great holiday.

In 1995 I went (A9) ... a trip which was (A10) ... absolute disaster. I was going to Berlin on business when, by accident, I got (A11) ... the wrong train. We were on the way to Brussels before realised my mistake. When I got to Brussels I had more problems because all my money was in German Marks and I didn't have my credit card with me. By chance I found (A12) ... helpful policeman who was soon (A13) ... the phone to my company. Thanks (A14) ... his help I was able to arrange (A15) ... Some money to be sent to a nearby bank. I spent that night in a hotel and paid my bill in (A16) ... cash before leaving. In the end I got to Berlin twenty-four hours later than I had expected. Everyone thought my trip was a big joke.

I got woken up today by my daughter screaming, "Dad... it's snowing... it's snowing!" She just couldn't believe it — not surprising as they said (A8) ... the news that it hasn't snowed here for nearly 50 years! We decided not to send her to school, and we had (A9) ... great time — we even made a snowman (A10) ... the backyard. We used dried cranberries for the eyes and a baby carrot for the nose because it was a baby snowman. People are so amazed (A11) ... the weather that I have seen some of them just standing there staring as if they were in a trance. It looks like the work of a skillful decorator for a movie. It was chaos, though, for people going to work, a whole load of trucks were stuck (A12) ... the snow. And it's been (A13) ... very bad news (A14) ... the citrus trees — they're all frozen. Even if (A15) ... snow melts tomorrow, the damage is already done. So I'm afraid we won't be eating any local oranges this year!

The explosive growth of the Internet over the past decade has been accompanied by a rise (A8) ... new ways of interacting and communicating in cyberspace. First came emails and then chat rooms. Now, growing in (A9) ... popularity (A10) ... an incredible rate, is something known as blogging. For those who have never heard of it, a blog, which is short (A11) ... web log, is a kind of journal or diary that people write to "post' online. (A12) ... beauty of blogging is that anyone can put a blog on (A13) ... web and write about any topic under the sun. Some of the most interesting blogs can be found on Internet newspaper sites where readers post their comments (A14) ... articles in the news. One surprising development of blogging is that they are now often used as a source of news themselves. It is not uncommon (A15) ... journalists to use information that they have found on blog sites to write their articles.

Did Marco Polo tell the truth when he wrote about his journey to China? Or did (A9) ... 13th century Italian explorer just make up stories about places he would like to have visited?

According to some experts, when Marco was 17, he set (A10) ... with his father and uncle (A11) ... an adventure that lasted over 20 years. They passed through Turkey into (A12) ... northern Iran, along the Great Silk Road and across (A13) ... Gobi desert. Eventually, in 1275, they reached the summer capital where they met the emperor. The opportunity to return home only came 17 years later. Shortly after his return to Venice, Marco Polo was captured (A14) ... sea, possibly by pirates. They put him (A15) ... prison where he devoted his time (A16) ... composing his book.

An eco-tourism project (А8) ... a difference has just been launched in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Tourists will be offered (А9)... chance to encounter a wide range of wildlife and (A10)... great deal more. This project was set (A11)... by the local villagers who were suffering (A12) ... a downturn in the national economy. They decided to raise money themselves to cover the cost of educational and welfare projects. Tourists will be invited to live the African Village Experience. The tours are led by English speaking villagers, and visitors can choose (A13) ... activities such as meeting the local healer to taking part in cooking or farming. Visitors are also offered (A14) ... option (A15) ... staying the night in the village.

An eco-tourism project (А8) ... a difference has just been launched in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Tourists will be offered (А9)... chance to encounter a wide range of wildlife and (A10)... great deal more. This project was set (A11)... by the local villagers who were suffering (A12) ... a downturn in the national economy. They decided to raise money themselves to cover the cost of educational and welfare projects. Tourists will be invited to live the African Village Experience. The tours are led by English speaking villagers, and visitors can choose (A13) ... activities such as meeting the local healer to taking part in cooking or farming. Visitors are also offered (A14) ... option (A15) ... staying the night in the village.

Young Composers is an online resource for anyone (A23) ... in music composition. Amateur musicians can upload music to their network, where their review team helps young people to (A24) ... their music abilities. Their composer forum is an active community of professionals, students, and amateurs who can (A25) ... questions about the life and career of composing, or (A26) ... chat in the 'shoutbox'. YC's main purpose is to (A27) ... people to post their music, receive feedback on it and improve as composers. One way to (A28) ... from the knowledge on the forum is to (A29) ... a contributing member: review others' works and, of course, post your own pieces for feedback and analysis. The best way to (A30) ... advantage of the forum is to participate. By reviewing the works of others other members will get to know you and they will see that you are making an (A31) ... to give back to their community. It's a great website to learn and help others to (A32) ... at the same time.

Hollywood is associated with fame, fortune and glamour. Every year, thousands of young people (A25) ... up there, hoping that a producer will spot them and think they have that special something that audiences want to see. Unfortunately, most of them are (A26) ... on a journey that leads to disappointment. Take a (A27) ... round Los Angeles and ask any waiter or waitress and they will tell you that they are only working there for the time being, until they get their break in films. A combination of failure and economic problems usually means that they eventually (A28)... up their minds to leave and return to the small town they came from, without having made their fortune.

Before you come to the (A29) ... that a life in film is for you, ask yourself carefully if you are ready for that change of direction. You'll have to travel and live for a long time at your own (A30) ..., working in jobs that provide you with a low (A31) ..., with only the occasional glimpse of a star to (A32) ... you where you want to be.

The city authorities in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, have an unusual traffic problem to (A22) ... with — slow-moving elephants. The city already has a major problem with traffic (A23) ... and the elephants are making things considerably worse. But the fast pace of life in the city is not very good for the elephants either. Many are suffering from breathing problems (A24) ... by pollution. Others have sustained broken legs from falling into the ditches (канал) that typically (A25) ... along the side of many Thai roads. Moreover, it is estimated that an average of twenty road traffic accidents a month (A26) ... elephants. This is clearly a (A27) ... of much concern not only for the city traffic authorities but also for anyone (A28) ... to preserve wildlife. In (A29) ... to the problem the government has organised a special team to help the police round up elephants in the city and send them back to the countryside to work, usually in the tourist (A30) ... . But this campaign has met with strong resistance from elephant handlers in Bangkok who (A31) ... a great deal of money selling fruit to visitors who want to feed the elephants.

Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez (A23) ... into the competitive world of modelling at the age of 14. Advertisers (A24) ... notice, but she was not easily (A25) ... from getting her education. She accepted modelling projects but made (A26) ... these were only at weekends. With a discipline that would make any parent proud, this hard-working student (A27) ... high school and then (A28) ... a university degree in philosophy. After graduating, Tweetie went job-hunting, but modelling projects continued to come her way, until her days were ail (A29) ... up. It was only after (A30) ... a competition that she decided to (A31) ... up modelling as a profession. Yet at the height of her popularity, she turned her back on the glamour of the fashion world because she was finding modelling less and less (A32) .... She said it was beginning to feel more like work than enjoyment.

Young people tend to spend most of their out-of-school hours (A23) ... with homework and other school commitments. These (A24) ... them so busy that they have no time to (A25) ... for other major projects. But there are some remarkable exceptions to this (A26) ... . Some use any free time they have to (A27) ... themselves to environmental issues. Ava Lang, for example, is only 14 but at: weekends she goes round restaurants to persuade the owners to (A28) ... her with their used cooking oil. She then arranges for this to be (A29) ... into biodiesel. Another youngster who does a considerable (A30) ... of work to help others is Tim Fried. He races go-karts as a (A31) ... of raising money for charitable causes. In this way he manages to (A32) ... his love of sport with some socially useful work.

Years ago, back in the days when I was just a kid, my family used to have Sunday picnics together in a nearby part of the countryside. We would (A22) ... a suitably quiet and pleasant spot, then (A23) ... several hours chatting, eating and playing games in the (A24) ... air. Since then, though, my parents' life has become so busy that they never seem to have the time for outdoor family meals any more. In my (A25) ... this is a great pity, so I've recently started to organise picnics of my own. I get in (A26) ... with some of my closest friends and first we (A27) ... on a suitable place to go. Then we talk about who'll bring which food. This ensures that there will be a (A28) ... of tasty things to eat, particularly if everyone makes the meals they do best. It's important, though, to keep the food simple, as everything has to (A29) ... into a backpack and then be carried across fields and up river vall's. When we finally (A30) ... our destination, it's time to sit down, relax and (A31) ... each other's company. And I'm absolutely certain that food tastes better on a picnic than anywhere else!

Stress is important. We all need a certain amount of it in order to (A23) ... fulfilling lives. However, if we have too much of it, it can have the opposite (A24) ... . It is therefore a good idea to learn a few stress management techniques. Identifying the (A25) ... of the problem we have, so that we can (A26) ... it more effectively, is one of the first (A27) ... towards reducing stress. The second is talking to a person you can trust, who will listen and, if necessary, (A28) ... you some positive advice. Not only are smoking and drinking (A29) ... to our health, they actually increase stress (A30) ... than reduce it. So, next time you want to relax, instead of (A31) ... for that glass of wine or a cigarette, have a warm bath or go for a walk. Walking has more than health benefits, it helps you think more clearly too. On the other hand, laughter is one of the best ways to (A32) ... yourself feel considerably better.

The city authorities in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, have an unusual traffic problem to (A22) ... with — slow-moving elephants. The city already has a major problem with traffic (A23) ... and the elephants are making things considerably worse. But the fast pace of life in the city is not very good for the elephants either. Many are suffering from breathing problems (A24) ... by pollution. Others have sustained broken legs from falling into the ditches (канал) that typically (A25) ... along the side of many Thai roads. Moreover, it is estimated that an average of twenty road traffic accidents a month (A26) ... elephants. This is clearly a (A27) ... of much concern not only for the city traffic authorities but also for anyone (A28) ... to preserve wildlife. In (A29) ... to the problem the government has organised a special team to help the police round up elephants in the city and send them back to the countryside to work, usually in the tourist (A30) ... . But this campaign has met with strong resistance from elephant handlers in Bangkok who (A31) ... a great deal of money selling fruit to visitors who want to feed the elephants.

Stress is important. We all need a certain amount of it in order to (A23) ... fulfilling lives. However, if we have too much of it, it can have the opposite (A24) ... . It is therefore a good idea to learn a few stress management techniques. Identifying the (A25) ... of the problem we have, so that we can (A26) ... it more effectively, is one of the first (A27) ... towards reducing stress. The second is talking to a person you can trust, who will listen and, if necessary, (A28) ... you some positive advice. Not only are smoking and drinking (A29) ... to our health, they actually increase stress (A30) ... than reduce it. So, next time you want to relax, instead of (A31) ... for that glass of wine or a cigarette, have a warm bath or go for a walk. Walking has more than health benefits, it helps you think more clearly too. On the other hand, laughter is one of the best ways to (A32) ... yourself feel considerably better.

§ 1. Though he is, in many ways, unremarkable and we have never met before, and he hasn't given me any particular clues to help me pick him out, it's not hard to spot Steve Sires in the lobby of his hotel, simply because he's the only man here who looks exactly like Bill Gates, the computer millionaire and head of Microsoft. "I figured you'd recognise me," he says, rising from his chair to shake my hand, in his Bill Gates glasses, with his Bill Gates hair, Smiling his Bill Gates smile. Steve Sires is a civil engineering consultant who runs his own business and, twice a month or so, gets paid to jet across the continent and look like Bill Gates. He's hired for business functions mostly - product launches, industry seminars and conferences. He isn't the only professional Bill Gates lookalike in the world, but he is, by most accounts, the best.

§ 2. We walk over to a business-district restaurant. I'd made a reservation for two, under 'Gates'. I'm worried this might annoy Sires, but he just laughs and admits that it's something he's never tried himself. The hostess doesn't even blink when I drop the name. As she leads us to our table I imagine a few glances sent our way, but they're likely just that, my imagination. Sires assures me that he causes much more talk back in Seattle, where the real Gates is occasionally known to walk among the masses. "People have reported spotting Bill at Burger King or eating popcorn at a movie, Sires says. "I wonder how many times people see me and think "Why in the world would Bill Gates be shopping in a cheap supermarket?"'

§ 3. When Sires moved to the Seattle area he had no idea why people kept stopping him on the street or asking him for stockmarket tips in the checkout line. "I didn't know who this Gates guy was," he says. "Turns out I lived 20 minutes from his house.' Sires initially ignored the much-remarked-on resemblance. Then, his wife cut out a newspaper ad placed by a local agent who handles lookalikes. She'd called the agent. He got me a job at the grand opening of a performing arts centre. I did it for free. But my picture was picked up by Associated Press." Soon, Sires was travelling to events, his appearance fee running to several thousand dollars.

§ 4. So Steve Sires is famous. Actually, what he has is better than fame — it's celebrity, without any of the complications of actually being Bill Gates. "I've got a great deal," he admits. "I get a little attention. It's fun to get a little attention. But at the end of the day, I can always go home to my real life."

§ 1. If you walk into any bookstore there is an entire shelf dedicated to books about people who decide to change their lives by relocating to another country. I used to laugh at those kinds of books and wonder why anyone would put themselves through the discomfort of going to live in a foreign country — all in search of a simple lifel

§ 2. One day, instead of walking straight past this section, I selected a book to read on the train. It was about an accountant who realised one day how boring her life was, so she bought a ticket to Italy. After reading the book, the idea of moving abroad had lodged (засела) itself in my mind and was turning into a magnificent possibility.

§ 3. I resigned from the hospital where I worked, sold my apartment and moved to the region of Umbria in Italy. Once there, I rented an apartment and hired a little motorbike. I loved sampling the local cuisine and I signed up for a short cooking course. A very charming local man called Francesco ran the course. Each lesson not only did we learn how to prepare an authentic Umbrian dish, we were also rolling around the floor in fits of laughter, since Francesco was a natural storyteller and we enjoyed his talent for imitating people.

§ 4. I also took a three-month Italian language course. It is fair to say that my attempts at cooking were more successful than my attempts to acquire a new language. I tried hard, however, and after a few weeks of lessons I actually had a short conversation with a local — OK, I only asked for directions to the train station. In my mind, though, this was a triumph of communication and I was satisfied with my modest progress.

§ 5. It was at one of these language classes that I heard a fellow student, John, mention that his neighbour, Sandro, was moving to Rome and selling his farmhouse very cheap. John said he wished he had the money to purchase it himself, as the property was sure to be snapped up soon. I couldn't believe that it cost less than half the amount that I had sold my tiny apartment for. Would I dare to copy the writers of all those books? I had to go and have a look, of course. The farmhouse was located on the top of a hill, and although it was very run-down, it possessed charm. I bought it straight away.

§ 6. The project wasn't without its difficulties, though. The farmhouse was collapsing in several places. My first priority, therefore, was to hire some local workers to add supports to the building. I also strengthened the foundations, installed a new kitchen and renovated the rest of the property. In the end, all the cost and effort were worthwhile, because I felt I belonged here as much as I did anywhere in the world, and I was determined to make it my home. I must say I sometimes look at my collection of books on Italy and think I'd like to have a goal writing one myself I'd like to share my experience and let other dreamers out there know that the difficulty is worth it. I didn't quite find the simple life, but I did find what the Italians call the sweet life — la dolce vita.

§ 1. The facts of the burglary at the vicarage came to us chiefly through the medium of the vicar and his wife. It occurred in the small hours of Whit Monday. Mrs Bunting, it seems, woke up suddenly in the stillness that comes before the dawn, with the strong impression that the door of their bedroom had opened and closed. She did not arouse her husband at first, but sat up in bed listening. She then distinctly heard the pad of bare feet coming out of the dressing-room and walking along the passage towards the staircase. As soon as she felt assured of this, she aroused the Rev Mr Bunting as quietly as possible. He did not strike a light, but putting on his spectacles, his dressing-gown, and his bath slippers, he went out on the landing to listen. He heard quite distinctly a fumbling going on at his study desk downstairs, and then a violent sneeze.

§ 2. At that he returned to his bedroom, armed himself with the most obvious weapon, the poker, and descended the staircase as noiselessly as possible. Mrs Bunting came out on the landing. .

§ 3. The hour was about four, and the ultimate darkness of the night was past. There was a faint shimmer of light in the hall, but the study doorway yawned impenetrably black. Everything was still except the faint creaking of the stairs under Mr Bunting’s tread, and the slight movements in the study. Then something snapped, the drawer was opened, and there was a rustle of papers. Then came a curse, and a match was struck and the study was flooded with yellow light. Through the crack of the door Mr Bunting could see the desk and the open drawer and a candle burning on the desk. But the robber he could not see. He stood there in the hall undecided what to do, and Mrs Bunting, her face white and intent, crept slowly downstairs after him. One thing kept up Mr Bunting’s courage: the persuasion that this burglar was a residefit in the village.

§ 4. They heard the chink of money, and realised that the robber had found the housekeeping reserve of gold. At that sound Mr Bunting was nerved to abrupt action. Gripping the poker firmly, he rushed into the room, closely followed by Mrs Bunting. “Surrender!” cried Mr Bunting fiercely and then stopped, amazed. Apparently the room was perfectly empty.

§ 1. There used to be a general feeling that computer games were bad for you, and books were good. Now people are not so sure. Researchers have found that computer games, television and the Internet have become key factors in boosting children's IQs up to levels never reached by past generations.

§ 2. The idea that intelligence can be measured was first suggested about a century ago, but at that time it was hard to find tests that gave useful results. Over the past two decades, however, tests have become more complex and researchers have found that IQ scores can give a good indication of what children's future exam results will be. Some experts have even claimed that IQ scores can accurately predict what level of income and status young people will achieve in adult life.

§ 3. Why are today's youngsters doing so much better than their grandparents? Of course, better nutrition, higher standards of living and improved education all play their part in raising general levels of intelligence. But there seems to be more to it than that. Scientists are attributing the change in intelligence levels to the complexity of modern life.

§ 4. In today's fast-moving world, young people are required to interact constantly with electronic gadgets and equipment. This is developing youngsters' brains in ways that older generations never experienced. Computers are one of the major sources of stimulation, and activities such as playing games and using the Internet seem to be particularly important.

§ 5. There are still some things that remain unexplained, however. For example, the increase in children's lo scores varies according to the type of intelligence being tested. It appears that nowadays people are better at abstract thinking than their ancestors were — but their verbal and mathematical abilities have remained the same as those of previous generations. No one knows why this is the case. Nevertheless, during the last few years there has certainly been a general upward trend, and it has been found that the present generation have IQs about 15 points above their parents.

§ 6. It has been claimed that, in moderation, computer gaming is positively good for youngsters. It requires positive qualities such as determination, fast thinking and rapid learning. However, it seems that improvements in IQ may not last very long without continuing stimulation. The brain seems to be like a muscle and requires repeated and vigorous exercise to stay fit and healthy. When it comes to IQ, it's a case of 'Use it or lose it'.

§ 1. Imagine an entire town made up of spectacular buildings of multi-coloured ice. A town devoted to pleasure where you can ride in a horse-drawn carriage, go down ice slides (горки) and watch swimming events by an icy river. It sounds like a setting for a work of children's fiction, but this magical scene appears every January on an island just outside the Chinese city of Harbin.

§ 2. Winter in Harbin would be very boring indeed without its annual month-long Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Harbin has average temperatures of −16 °C at the time of the festival. So what better way to brighten up winter than with a colourful winter wonderland that recreates some of the world's most impressive architectural landmarks? It's possible to reproduce them using blocks of ice at Harbin because its winters, though freezing cold, are dry. There is a tradition of ice sculpture in the region that goes back hundreds of years and began with ice lantern (фонарь) artworks lit by candles.

§ 3. People who have been to the festival say the sculptures are most impressive at night, when they are lit by floodlights or from inside by clever use of LED (светодиодный) bulbs that change colour periodically. You can also appreciate the amazing detail of the snow sculptures better when there's no sunshine. If you want to see as many sculptures as possible, you should plan your trip for a few weeks into the festival. That's because by then the international snow-sculpting competition that is held during every festival is over and you can admire the creations in all their beauty.

§ 4. If you are more interested in physical activities than art, you'll still find plenty to amuse you at the festival. The event is well-known for the long snow slides that are incorporated into the designs of the ice buildings.

§ 5. Perhaps the most extreme event at the festival is the river swimming. Even setting up the event is a challenge. The organisers have to remove enough ice from the surface of the River Songhua to make a pool for the friendly competitions. The brave participants jump into the water wearing nothing but swimming costumes and caps, surrounded by spectators in winter hats, coats and gloves! Although the festival has become well-known enough to attract visitors from outside China, it's rare to see a non-local swimmer in the competitions. In northern China, however, there is a strong tradition of winter outdoor swimming, especially among the middle-aged and the elderly.

§ 1. 'Hollywood' is a household name. This small district is the centre of the American film industry and the source of over 2.6 billion yearly cinema ticket sales. Most of the films we watch come straight out of Hollywood. But have you ever heard of 'Bollywood'? It is the name given to the Hindi language film industry based in Mumbai, India. Contrary to popular belief, it far outperforms Hollywood. Last year alone, over 1000 films were produced and 4 billion cinema tickets were sold, showing that Indian cinema is far more powerful than people think.

§ 2. Many likely Bollywood fans are often concerned that they will not be able to understand the language used in the films. But there is no need to worry. Although the scripts have historically been written in Hindi, more and more films use the English language, showing India's respect for the languages that make up its culture. You will also find that most films come with English language subtitles.

§ 3. So what do you get out of a Bollywood film? It is difficult to define a film as belonging to a certain category, because there is no such thing as a typical Bollywood film. The plots can focus on the drama of a love triangle, but they can also be packed with laugh-out-loud comedy or edge-of-your-seat action. The only guarantee is that a Bollywood film won't end without several catchy song and dance routines.

§ 4. Many Bollywood films are over three hours long. Some people might think that this is too long, but there is a good explanation. The film companies say the aim is to give you, the audience, your 'money's worth'. If you are going to spend good money on a ticket, the film should be really exciting.

§ 5. There is no shortage of aspiring young actors and actresses hoping to get a role in the next blockbuster. Big shot movie producers and casting agents are always looking out for new talent. India has its own Brad Pitts and Angelina Jolies — spectacular actors who ensure you have a truly enjoyable viewing experience!

§ 6. Shilpa Shetty is the perfect example of a Bollywood megastar. A picture of beauty and raw acting talent, she has achieved success beyond the borders of India, most notably in the UK following her appearance on the 'Celebrity Big Brother' TV series. Since then she has turned down roles in several British TV shows. Instead, she has returned to Mumbai and continues to shoot films in the land that made her a star.

§ 7. Once you get into Bollywood, you'll never want to stop watching.

Wayback in 1828, the world's first modern police force was created by Sir Robert Peel. The Metropolitan Police Force of London made its home at the famous Scotland Yard and quickly became the model for police forces around the world. But it would be another decade before the Detective Branch of Scotland Yard was set up. This branch later became the Criminal Investigation Department (commonly known as C.I.D) and to this day remains the main police department in Britain responsible for major crime investigation.

Becoming a plain clothes detective in the C.I.D is no easy task. Firstly, a police officer needs to have served for at least two years as a uniformed officer. (A43) ___ Once this period has been completed the officer can then apply to go to a detective training school. However, there's no guarantee they will be accepted.

In order to become a detective, an officer needs to possess a wide range of skills and qualities, the most obvious being complete honesty and good character. They also need to be highly observant and to have good judgement. (A44) ___ An officer with all these skills could more than likely find themselves being accepted to train as a detective. Most of these "detectives-to-be' discover that the really hard work begins once they get to the training school. (A45) ___ For instance, they will have to learn about psychology, which will come in handy when they are questioning suspects and witnesses. Perhaps the most difficult subjects though deal with learning all about the modem scientific methods now used in crime detection.

Once our future Sherlocks have completed their initial training, they begin life as detective constables and start working on unsolved crime cases in the C.I.D. Most of the work they do is not nearly as glamorous as it seems on TV and in novels. (A46) ___ Not exactly exciting, but essential duties all the same.

Apart from having to do painstaking investigative work, detectives also have a lot of paperwork to deal with. (A47) ___ Every detail of a crime and its investigation must be recorded. Most detectives find the amount of clerical work they have to do the most frustrating part of their job.

Nonetheless, it can be a very rewarding job; a detective gets great satisfaction knowing they have solved a major crime. However, a detective's job is still not over after a suspect has been arrested and charged. (A48) ___ Only when the offender is actually behind bars is the detective's goal achieved. Then there's always the next case to tackle, of course.

1. Tania Ferreira

I was walking along the pavement looking for something new to wear when a sign in a shop window saying cotton jackets 50% off caught my eye, so I went in. They didn't have one in my size but said they could order it for me. A few days later I went back to the shop to collect it. It fitted me perfectly, but I just didn't take to the colour. Again I had to wait, and again I went back to the shop. This time everything seemed fine, and I paid for it and took it home. After I'd worn it twice, though, I put it through the washing machine and was most upset to find it'd shrunk (давать усадку). It was a waste of money, really.

2. Ali Haddad

I'd picked up lots of things like books and computer games online, but that was the first time I'd actually got myself something to wear over the Internet. It looked like a really lovely shirt and the price was incredibly low, so I clicked on "Buy it now', paid by credit card and waited for it to arrive. I thought afterwards that perhaps I should have emailed the seller to check the colour, because although it looked fine in the photo, it might not be exactly what I wanted. In the event I needn't have worried, and I was absolutely delighted when I saw it. I would have got another one if I'd known how good it would look.

3. Brad Stevens

I was food shopping in the big supermarket near here and I saw they were selling jeans at a ridiculously low price, so I thought I'd pick up a pair. I spent quite a bit of time going through this great pile of jeans because all the different sizes were mixed up and they weren't very clearly marked "large' or 'extra large' or whatever. Eventually I came across a pair that seemed about my size and headed for the checkout. It was very slow there, and I got fed up standing in a line of about ten customers. Why they don't open more checkouts at busy times I really don't know.

4. Sara Desai

I saw a stall selling sweaters when I was wandering around my usual clothes market and there was such a wide range of lovely ones that I was spoilt for choice. In the end I made my mind up and I enquired whether they had a particularly attractive pale blue one in medium. The stall holder said they had. I couldn't try it on there and then but I was sure it would fit me, so I paid and took it home. There I discovered that the sleeves were far too short so I had to take it back. The man on the stall quickly found me a larger one for the same very reasonable price and that turned out to be just right on me. I'd wasted an hour or so travelling to and from the market, but I still wouldn't dream of shopping for things like that anywhere else.

1. Tania Ferreira

I was walking along the pavement looking for something new to wear when a sign in a shop window saying cotton jackets 50% off caught my eye, so I went in. They didn't have one in my size but said they could order it for me. A few days later I went back to the shop to collect it. It fitted me perfectly, but I just didn't take to the colour. Again I had to wait, and again I went back to the shop. This time everything seemed fine, and I paid for it and took it home. After I'd worn it twice, though, I put it through the washing machine and was most upset to find it'd shrunk (давать усадку). It was a waste of money, really.

2. Ali Haddad

I'd picked up lots of things like books and computer games online, but that was the first time I'd actually got myself something to wear over the Internet. It looked like a really lovely shirt and the price was incredibly low, so I clicked on "Buy it now', paid by credit card and waited for it to arrive. I thought afterwards that perhaps I should have emailed the seller to check the colour, because although it looked fine in the photo, it might not be exactly what I wanted. In the event I needn't have worried, and I was absolutely delighted when I saw it. I would have got another one if I'd known how good it would look.

3. Brad Stevens

I was food shopping in the big supermarket near here and I saw they were selling jeans at a ridiculously low price, so I thought I'd pick up a pair. I spent quite a bit of time going through this great pile of jeans because all the different sizes were mixed up and they weren't very clearly marked "large' or 'extra large' or whatever. Eventually I came across a pair that seemed about my size and headed for the checkout. It was very slow there, and I got fed up standing in a line of about ten customers. Why they don't open more checkouts at busy times I really don't know.

4. Sara Desai

I saw a stall selling sweaters when I was wandering around my usual clothes market and there was such a wide range of lovely ones that I was spoilt for choice. In the end I made my mind up and I enquired whether they had a particularly attractive pale blue one in medium. The stall holder said they had. I couldn't try it on there and then but I was sure it would fit me, so I paid and took it home. There I discovered that the sleeves were far too short so I had to take it back. The man on the stall quickly found me a larger one for the same very reasonable price and that turned out to be just right on me. I'd wasted an hour or so travelling to and from the market, but I still wouldn't dream of shopping for things like that anywhere else.

Do you ever wonder what will become of your classmates? Can you spot who's going to become famous or get a really interesting job? Colin Bacon decided to look up some people he'd known at secondary school to find out just that.

1. The first person I found was Andrew. He'd always wanted to work in the music industry. He reminded me, "As a student, I used to do DJ work at the weekends. The academic side of university wasn't my main priority. After graduation, I did temporary jobs before getting into a record company as assistant to the marketing manager. I learnt a lot from him and progressed quickly. I'm now in charge of signing new bands. A typical week involves meetings with artists and producers. No two days are ever the same in this job and an average day can change in an instant if you hear a new band and you realise you're on to something big. The thrill of that makes all the dull days worthwhile."

2. Barbara was much more of a shock. She was always rather quiet at school. She explained, "After school I got a place at Art College,to do a four-year degree, but after a year I swapped to a Geography degree which I thought was more interesting. On that course, I met some people who were thinking of joining the army. I suddenly realised it was just the thing for me too. After graduation, I spent a year doing officer training and then shadowed another officer for two months before getting my own first commission." She now has fifty-five soldiers under her command. "Promotion depends on performance and time served, but I hope to have been promoted to the rank of captain in two years' time."

3. Carl was always a patient sort, so I wasn't surprised to find him still in the classroom. He told me, "In my last year at school, I considered teaching as a career, but I ended up doing two years of a medical degree instead. I never really felt committed to it and after two years switched to Biology. I chose a very practical training course where I spent a lot of time in Schools rather than in a lecture theatre. The advantage is that you build up a teaching style quite quickly, but you do miss out a bit on the educational theory behind it. I now work in an inner-city secondary school and the challenge is motivating the rather troublesome pupils to learn."

4. Biggest shock of all was Diane. She was quite scruffy at school and the last person I expected to be working as a fashion model. As she explained, "Anyone who says you become a model just because you're pretty is totally wrong. To be successful you need personality, drive, maturity as well as good looks. A model's job involves getting up early, performing miracles in front of the camera even when you feel awful. It is often exhausting. It's glamorous enough if you make it to the top, but most don't. Fortunately, I'm building up the experience necessary to start my own agency because modelling is not something you can do forever."

1. School student Ester Montoya knows she has to improve her marks in her main subjects. She's trying hard, but it's not easy and sometimes she feels she's doing too much work, "I have to get away from it now and then," she says, "so recently I've joined a local youth theatre It really helps because it takes my mind off everything, it's a kind of escape from reality. Also I'm meeting other people of my age and I'm hoping to make some friends there. Something I've been meaning to try, though, is work helping others, perhaps old people. A friend of mine does it, and she says it really makes a difference — both to them and to her."

2. For seventeen-year-old Steve Ellison, life is particularly busy right now. He's revising for some important exams but he still manages to find time for his favourite free-time activities, which include long-distance running. As well as doing plenty of exercise, he also tries to maintain a healthy diet. "I've told myself I must always eat a variety of healthy food, with lots of fruit and green vegetables, though if I'm out with my mates I may give in to temptation and have a and chips. I never drink coffee because it makes you talk and act nervously, and it keeps you awake at night, too, which is bad for your stress level."

3. First-year university student Amelie Lefevre believes that the best way to beat stress is to organise your life more sensibly. "My life used to be pretty chaotic, there always seemed to be so much to do, often jobs that other people should E. doing. So what eventually learned to do was to say no, politely, to extra work. That helped, as did making a list of priorities for each day, with somethings scheduled for today, others for tomorrow and some that could be postponed for longer. I also make rules for myself about the amount of sleep I need. There was a time when I was staying up until all hours, but I was exhausted the next day so I don't do that any more. I think I managemy time quite well now."

4. Student Ndali Traore likes to get up early so he has a relaxed start to the day. "I hate leaving jobs till the last minute, and I always try to do those I like least first, he says. When he has some free time, he goes to the cinema, or out with friends. If something's bothering me," he says, "I often find that just talking to them about it helps. Particularly if you can make a joke about it, because it always seems a lot less serious when you do that.' If he's on his own, he has a special way of dealing with stress: "I try to recall occasions when I was really relaxed, such as spending the day by a beautiful lake in the sunshine. That often works, he says.

1. Camping Safari

This safari in the Masai Mara Game Reserve offers comfortable accommodation in tents which are fully equipped with beds, sheets, blankets and mosquito nets. Each day there is a drive through the reserve. Back at the camp in the evening you will enjoy a meal cooked over a traditional wood fire. Optional activities include guided nature walks and a visit to Lake Bogoria, which is generally covered with huge flocks of flamingos. However, there are other attractions at the lake, such as the magnificent hotsprings.

2. Family Safari

This safari has been created with families particularly in mind. Guests will stay at the comfortable, family-friendly Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi, which boasts one of the best swimming pools in Kenya. Don't miss a visit to the Giraffe Centre, a self-guided forest hike followed by an up-close encounter with tame giraffes. But this is not just a city holiday. There are morning and evening game drives against the magnificent backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, all suitable for small children as there are always plenty of big wild animals to see, including elephants, leopards and the now rare Serval cat. The hotel also offers an evening babysitting service.

3. Cultural Safari

All visitors spend their first night at a small lodge situated in a lush wooded area close to the Masai Mara. Game Reserve in Kenya. Thereafter, you will stay in several locations, including in a tribal bush village where you will have the wonderful opportunity to learn about the Masai culture and traditions and purchase some of their unique handicrafts. A short drive from the village will also take you to meet nomadic hunters or 'bushmen' from the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. This safari experience also includes several game drives through the reserve, where you may be lucky enough to have the chance to photograph the spectacular annual migration of one million wildebeest (антилопа гну) across the plains.

4. Chimpanzee Safari

At the beginning of this tour, visitors are treated to an overnight stay in a cottage built in the colonial style of a hundred years ago and overlooking Lake Tanganyika, estimated to be the second largest freshwater lake in the world. Then, three days are spent tracking chimps in the forest, which is a truly unforgettable experience. Photography is permitted but care should be taken not to upset or frighten the animals. During this part of the tour, accommodation is in luxury tents. The safari ends with a climb to the majestic Kakombe Waterfalls.

Britain rightly has the (B1) ... of being a safe place and street crime is fortunately not common. However, it is still (B2) ... for tourists to take some precautions (меры предосторожности). Pickpockets may operate in crowded areas so make sure that you keep cameras and any other valuable things in a safe place. Experts recommend that passports and tickets should preferably be kept under your clothes in a money belt, perhaps. You must, of course, be particularly (B3) ... at night. Be sure to take advice from local people. If they tell you a certain area is (B4) ... at night, then don't go there.

The number one gadget for most teenagers today is the mobile phone. They seem to get enormous (B1) ... from comparing new models which (B2) ... them to send text messages at the speed of life. But most teachers are totally intolerable of mobile phone use in the classroom. Text messaging is completely banned and mobiles should be (B3) ... switched off. This approach gets across the message that students need to concentrate. However, it shows that many schools misunderstand the full capability of the mobile phone. After all, a mobile phone is just like a mini computer, with full access to the web. There are many (B4) ... ways in which mobiles can be used for learning.

Britain rightly has the (B1) ... of being a safe place and street crime is fortunately not common. However, it is still (B2) ... for tourists to take some precautions (меры предосторожности). Pickpockets may operate in crowded areas so make sure that you keep cameras and any other valuable things in a safe place. Experts recommend that passports and tickets should preferably be kept under your clothes in a money belt, perhaps. You must, of course, be particularly (B3) ... at night. Be sure to take advice from local people. If they tell you a certain area is (B4) ... at night, then don't go there.

The number one gadget for most teenagers today is the mobile phone. They seem to get enormous (B1) ... from comparing new models which (B2) ... them to send text messages at the speed of life. But most teachers are totally intolerable of mobile phone use in the classroom. Text messaging is completely banned and mobiles should be (B3) ... switched off. This approach gets across the message that students need to concentrate. However, it shows that many schools misunderstand the full capability of the mobile phone. After all, a mobile phone is just like a mini computer, with full access to the web. There are many (B4) ... ways in which mobiles can be used for learning.

While some people consider cooking to be boring, especially those who are occupied daily with the task of feeding a large family on a small budget, (B5) ... find it a creative and fulfilling activity. Cooking for a family (B6) ... members are not only choosy but (B7) ... have limited tastes hardly gives the cook much creative opportunity.

(B5) ... of the nicest ways to spend a summer afternoon is to have a picnic. (B6) ... is something about eating out of doors that is very special. Of (B7) ..., some things are essential if the picnic is going to be an enjoyable experience. The weather has to be sunny; (B8) ... many people enjoy eating sandwiches in the pouring rain! The site must be carefully chosen. Then, when the meal is finished, you can just relax in the sunshine, or go for a swim.

The next time someone asks (B5) ... my hobbies are, I'll turn the question round and ask them to (B6) ... me about their hobbies. I doubt that they have any. I don't think we should deny it (B7) ... longer: the hobby is dead. Ask any teenager or adult about how they spend their spare time and they'll respond with a list of activities rather than mention collecting something.

As you know, I finish school this summer and I am looking (B5) ... to starting work and earning some money of my (B6) ... . Eventually I want to open a shop and intend to get a job in the local department store to gain as (B7)... practical experience as possible. Of course my parents want (B8) ... to go to college and do a business course but I feel I'd learn more on the job.