Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its many attractions include the Children's Railway, which is different from other railways because this train line (A1) ... by youngsters aged 10 to 14. It (A2) ... passengers through the beautiful forest parks of the Buda Hills ever since it (A3) ... up in 1948.

Today, the railway (A4) ... approximately 300,000 people a year on the 11-kilometre journey through the hills. Only young people who (A5) ... successfully a special four-month training course are allowed to work there. The railway operates daily, and the young workers have to take one day off school every two weeks to participate. As long as their schoolwork (A6) ..., their involvement is encouraged. Similar railways have been set up in other parts of the world, including Russia and Bulgaria, but the Budapest Children's Railway remains one of the largest and most popular trains of its kind that (A7) ... passengers.

Tom Hardy is having a house built entirely of glass. Yes, the external and internal walls, the roof, the floor, everything (A1) ... of glass. The builders arrive next Monday and they will have finished the construction by the end of August. Until the house is ready, Tom (A2) ... in a tent on the site so that he can watch the builders at work.

"In just six months' time I will be living in one of the most futuristic houses in the world," says Tom. "I can hardly wait. People are going to be really amazed, I'm sure of that. Journalists (A3) ... round to see me all the time. I have already told them that once the house (A4) ..., I'll move in straightaway."

Of course, it's no ordinary glass. It (A5) ... if you (A6) ... stones at it because it is thick and flexible. What's more, you won't be able to see in because this glass automatically goes dark when night (A7) ... — there is no need for curtains.

The idea of World Music Day or Fête de la Musique (A1) ... in France in the 1980s but (A2) ... across the globe. Today the event (A3) ... on 21st June in over 120 countries. An American musician, Joel Cohen, who (A4) ... for a French radio station, first came up with the idea for a music festival that everyone could enjoy and take part in. He suggested an all-night music festival to celebrate the summer solstice (the longest day). The French minister for culture liked the idea and it first (A5) ... reality in June 1982. The main idea behind the festival is that music is a great way to bring people together regardless of their nationality, ethnic and cultural background. The day (A6) ... individual musicians but also orchestras, cultural organisations, and schools. The best thing about the festival is that musicians (A7) ... to perform outside the usual music venues and concert halls. And every kind of music is on offer.

Tom Hardy is having a house built entirely of glass. Yes, the external and internal walls, the roof, the floor, everything (A1) ... of glass. The builders arrive next Monday and they will have finished the construction by the end of August. Until the house is ready, Tom (A2) ... in a tent on the site so that he can watch the builders at work.

"In just six months' time I will be living in one of the most futuristic houses in the world," says Tom. "I can hardly wait. People are going to be really amazed, I'm sure of that. Journalists (A3) ... round to see me all the time. I have already told them that once the house (A4) ..., I'll move in straightaway."

Of course, it's no ordinary glass. It (A5) ... if you (A6) ... stones at it because it is thick and flexible. What's more, you won't be able to see in because this glass automatically goes dark when night (A7) ... — there is no need for curtains.

Jane (A1) ... to be a nurse ever since she was a child but her father had told her that nursing was not a suitable profession for her to follow. She decided to talk to her friend, Anne, about what she should do. Jane and Anne (A2) ... friends for a long time and lived in the same street. When Jane arrived at Anne's house, Anne (A3) ... in the garden reading. Jane explained the situation to her. As she finished speaking, Anne's mother came out of the house and shouted to the girls to come over. "Sorry Jane, but I'm afraid, your father had an accident this morning at work and is in hospital. I (A4) ... you over there now.' When they arrived at the hospital Jane (A5) ... to see her father sitting up in bed and smiling broadly.

'Father, I was so worried, I thought something dreadful (A6) ... .' 'Oh, there's no need to worry. I (A7) ... my arm but the nurses here (A8) ... such good care of me, they've been wonderful. And Jane, I've been thinking.' Jane Smiled at her friend, and knew that everything was going to be all right.

Most people take time off work to travel, but for Ian Wright making a living requires travelling. Ian, who (A1) ... around the world many times, is one of the presenters of Globe Trekker — a popular TV series which (A2) ... the sights and sounds of different countries.

Since he (A3) ... the job as a presenter on British TV, Ian (A4) ... in over 50 episodes of the show, visiting countries like Ethiopia, Cambodia, Jamaica and Iran. On his travels, Ian often (A5) ... local food and sometimes exposes himself to danger. Once, while filming in the Pacific, he (A6) ... by a block of lava. "In Vanuatu we visited the most accessible volcano of the world. It erupted every ten minutes, spitting out lava all over the crater. It was unbelievable — until the wind changed. A piece of lava landed two meters away from my head. And we ran crying like babies."

Although Ian (A7) ... Globe Trekker episodes for many years, he is as enthusiastic as ever!

Dear Catherine,

Thanks for your letter. It was great to hear from you. I hope your exams are over now and you're happy with the results. I've just had an awful weekend. We (A1) ... to go camping, but in the end all our plans fell down because of our car. Everything was fine on Saturday morning when we set out, and we had no problems for the first half of our journey. Unfortunately, just before lunch, the car (A2) ... down. My Dad tried several times to call for help, but the number (A3) ... . In the end he gave up and we ate the picnic my Mum (A4) ... that morning. After lunch my Dad decided to go and get help with my brother, so I stayed behind with my mother. We soon fell asleep in the car. When we woke up it (A5) ... late and my Dad and my brother had still not come back. We started to get very worried about them. Just then they turned up in a van, which (A6) ... our car to a garage. We went home in a taxi which had been following the van. I hope you had a better weekend than me. Please write soon and tell me what you (A7) ... .

Best wishes,

Millie

Jane (A1) ... to be a nurse ever since she was a child but her father had told her that nursing was not a suitable profession for her to follow. She decided to talk to her friend, Anne, about what she should do. Jane and Anne (A2) ... friends for a long time and lived in the same street. When Jane arrived at Anne's house, Anne (A3) ... in the garden reading. Jane explained the situation to her. As she finished speaking, Anne's mother came out of the house and shouted to the girls to come over. "Sorry Jane, but I'm afraid, your father had an accident this morning at work and is in hospital. I (A4) ... you over there now.' When they arrived at the hospital Jane (A5) ... to see her father sitting up in bed and smiling broadly.

'Father, I was so worried, I thought something dreadful (A6) ... .' 'Oh, there's no need to worry. I (A7) ... my arm but the nurses here (A8) ... such good care of me, they've been wonderful. And Jane, I've been thinking.' Jane Smiled at her friend, and knew that everything was going to be all right.

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.

In a month's time I'll be setting (A8) ... on the trip of (A9) ... lifetime. My plan is to cycle all the way round the world, starting and finishing in my home town of Plymouth. It's taken over two years to prepare for the adventure; planning it, training for it and organising the finance. I've saved up about a quarter of the money I need, and I've managed to raise (A10) ... rest by doing up my house and selling it for a lot more than it originally cost me. Understandably, my parents are not very keen on (A11) ... idea, and I don't blame them (A12) ... wanting to try to discourage me (A13) ... going. They still haven't forgiven me for the worry I caused them when I tried, unsuccessfully, to cycle from Norway to South Africa. They've finally accepted, however, that nothing will prevent me (A14) ... attempting it, and my mum has said she'll be the first to congratulate me (A15) ... my achievement when I get back in two years' time.

At (A8) ... early age Robert Burns, Scotland's greatest poet, had to help his father on his farm. When he was twenty-two, he went to Irvine, where he began to learn about making cloth. Shortly after his arrival, the factory in which he was training was destroyed (A9) ... fire so he started (A10) ... farm with his younger brother. While he was living on the farm, he concentrated (A11) ... writing poems and fell for a local girl, Jean Armour. Robert wanted to marry her but her father would not allow him to do so, probably because he thought Burns was not wealthy enough. Her father's refusal took Robert (A12) ... surprise and he decided to leave (A13) ... country. Robert had to obtain the fare for the voyage by selling some poems. Just as he was about to leave he was given some advice — to publish a new edition of the poems he had written. He received a large sum of money for the poetry and was able to get married (A14) ... Jean Armour. During his marriage he continued to write the expressive poetry he became famous (A15) ... .

At one time, I used to think that jogging was simply impossible. I can remember a time when just (A8) ... twominute dash (пробежка) to catch a bus would leave mered in the face and almost (A9) ... breath. The turning point for me came when (A10) ... very insistent friend talked me (A11) ... accompanying her on a run round the local park. I managed just five minutes before my legs decided they'd had enough. I think it was that image of my friend rapidly disappearing into (A12) ... distance that stuck (A13) ... my mind, and led me to take (A14) ... seriously a sport which has really benefited (A15) ... my health, state of mind and fitness.

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.

David de Rothschild is known (A8) ... his efforts to make the earth a better place for those who inhabit it. Recently, David has become involved (A9) ... a project which he believes will help save oceans. In the middle of (A10) ... Pacific Ocean there is (A11) ... vast pile of rubbish, which floats on the water and causes terrible damage (A12) ... the environment. This region is filled (A13) ... plastic waste. David came up with an ideal way to use this waste and help preserve our oceans at the same time. He is having a specially designed boat built out of 12,500 empty plastic bottles. David plans to sail (A14) ... boat from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia. He is enthusiastic (A15) ... the journey regardless of the difficulties it may involve. David hopes that the adventure will encourage people not to ignore environmental problems.

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.

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.

A coincidence is a surprising thing that (A22) ... to us. For example, two friends go shopping alone on the same day. When they (A23) ... up afterwards, they discover that they've each bought an identical T-shirt. Many people (A24) ... coincidences as significant or mysterious. But the simple (A25) ... could be that friends tend to have (A26) ... taste in clothes. In reality, life is (A27)... of coincidences, but normally we don't notice them. For example, in almost fifty percent of all football matches, two players (A28) ... the same birthday. This seems surprising, given that there are 365 possible birthdays in the year. But most of these matches will be played without anybody being (A29) ... that the coincidence exists. Unless your birthday is today or tomorrow, you don't generally go around telling people when it is. What's more, without realising it, you probably (A30) ... into contact with lots of people born on the same day as you. But when a coincidence is (A31) ... to your attention, it still seems amazing.

Dancing can be a fun way to workout. Experts say that dancing improves blood circulation, boosts energy levels and helps you (A23) ... healthy bones. It's also a great way to (A24) ... weight. As well as the (A25) ... benefits, dancing is great for improving co-ordination and concentrating the mind. Dancing is a great stress reliever, a good dance will make you smile and laugh, leaving you in high (A26) ... and inspired. There should be a very (A27) ... risk of injury from dancing if you (A28)... instructions carefully, but make sure you always warm up properly or you could (A29) ... up with pulled muscles. So, (A30) ... on some comfortable clothes, like tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt, and get to it. Some types of dancing may (A31) ... special clothes when you get more advanced; others (A32) ... you to dress more casually.

A soda drink with a turkey and gravy flavour that is (A22) ... as undrinkable by its manufacturers is selling extraordinarily well. Unexpectedly large quantities of bottles have been sold in the United States where they are preparing to (A23) ... Thanksgiving later this week. A company in Seattle which (A24) ... in unusual flavours put 6,000 bottles on (A25) ... last week at 99 cents each. They sold out within hours. Yesterday bidding (ставки) on the eBay online auction site (A26) ... more than 60 dollars a bottle. The nastiness of Turkey and Gravy Soda appears to be its biggest selling point. It (A27) ... the perfect joke gift to take home to Mum or a younger brother or sister. At Thanksgiving families traditionally (A28) ... a long weekend together. One newspaper reporter who (A29) ... the drink said that, at first sip, it tasted of sweet caramel and savoury butter and it got worse from there. Curiously, the drink is (A30) ... for vegetarians. Peter Van Stolk who (A31) ... the company which makes the drink called his product 'gross'.

If you happen to be walking in your local park tomorrow and you find a book with a label inside (A22) ... Read and Release me," don't just treat it as a (A23) .... You've probably (A24) ... across an example of bookcrossing, a book-sharing movement (A25) ... in 2001 by American software developer Ron Hornbaker, whose aim is to "make the (A26) ... world a library'. Bookcrossers "release' books either by (A27) ... them on to friends, or by leaving them in public places for others to (A28) ... up, or 'catch', and then read, before they in (A29) ... release them back "into the wild". Over half a million people worldwide take (A30) ... in bookcrossing, "releasing books in cafés, airports, bus stations, telephone boxes. Often a book is left in a place which is associated with its (A31) ... or content: Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express on a train, for example, or an archeology book in a museum.

Whether you like it or not, celebrity gossip is hard to avoid. Newspapers, magazines and websites are (A22) ... with photos of the stars. Celebrities, (A23) ... the badly-behaved ones, regularly (A24) ... enormous publicity in the media. It seems we're (A25) ... by scandal, eager to know who is going out whom, and whose marriage has just fallen apart. Thanks to the public's (A26) ... for gossip, a paparazzo can be (A27) ... $500,000 for each 'exclusive' photo of stars like Britney Spears and Cristiano Ronaldol

Celebrities (A28) ... that money-hungry reporters and photographers follow them everywhere they go, often (A29) ... them serious troubles. In response, celebrity hunters argue that famous people shouldn't be so sensitive. They should accept their loss of privacy as the (A30) ... of wealth and success. But have things gone too far? Do we really have a 'right to read about stars having a mental breakdown, or to see pictures of them looking completely devastated after they've (A31) ... up with their husband or wife? There seems to be a fine line between curiosity and cruelty.

Possibly the chilliest place you could ever (A22) ... in is the Snow Village Ice Hotel, (A23) ... in northern Finland. The hotel (A24) ... the warmest of welcomes in the coldest of settings. The walls, ceilings, and furniture — including the beds — are all (A25) ... from ice, so the indoor temperature stays permanently below zero. Before sending you off to your personal room for the night the hotel (A26) ... a mattress, a blanket made of reindeer (северный олень) skin, and a thermal sleeping (A27) ... . Lying in bed, (A28) ... will be impressed by total silence. Slippery surfaces and icy corners are everywhere, and the hotel's lights remain (A29) ... on all night. Last time I was there I (A30) ... in bed for hours counting reindeer jumping over fences. I finally (A31) ... asleep at 5.00 a.m. after enjoying a very brief glimpse of the legendary Northern Lights, magical displays of blue and green light visible in the night sky up to 200 times a year.

It is difficult to imagine a world without tomatoes. These days, the bright red fruit plays an important role in the cooking of many cultures and is a key ingredient in many types of fast food, (A22) ... both taste and colour to dishes that otherwise would be rather ordinary. The tomato (A23) ... to the nightshade family of plants, many members of which are poisonous. When they were first (A24) ... into North America, therefore, tomatoes were viewed with (A25) ... and people tended to use them as table decorations rather than as food. In Europe, the tomato was first grown in Italy in 1555, although it wasn't (A26) ... with pasta until much later. The first (A27) ... for tomato ketchup dates from 1727 and in the 1800s, tomatoes began to be used more (A28) ... in sources and soups. These days, as well as tasting good, tomatoes are (A29) ... to contain substances which are good for our health. Nutritionists (A30) ... out, however, that many processed tomato products also contain additives such as salt and Sugar which can (A31) ... the beneficial effects of the fruit.

A soda drink with a turkey and gravy flavour that is (A22) ... as undrinkable by its manufacturers is selling extraordinarily well. Unexpectedly large quantities of bottles have been sold in the United States where they are preparing to (A23) ... Thanksgiving later this week. A company in Seattle which (A24) ... in unusual flavours put 6,000 bottles on (A25) ... last week at 99 cents each. They sold out within hours. Yesterday bidding (ставки) on the eBay online auction site (A26) ... more than 60 dollars a bottle. The nastiness of Turkey and Gravy Soda appears to be its biggest selling point. It (A27) ... the perfect joke gift to take home to Mum or a younger brother or sister. At Thanksgiving families traditionally (A28) ... a long weekend together. One newspaper reporter who (A29) ... the drink said that, at first sip, it tasted of sweet caramel and savoury butter and it got worse from there. Curiously, the drink is (A30) ... for vegetarians. Peter Van Stolk who (A31) ... the company which makes the drink called his product 'gross'.

Everyone, whatever their age, can share in the joy and fulfillment of learning, as June Weatherall found out.

§ 1. When I first retired, I thought I'd love spending more time on the gardening, needlework, and other creative activities I'd found so relaxing after my demanding job. But it didn't turn out that way. I found that I didn't want, or need, that kind of relaxation anymore, I wanted to stimulate my mind instead.

§ 2. So, with a couple of friends, I went along to an art appreciation evening class at our local regional college. It was wonderful, but only lasted a year. At the end, I asked my tutor, "What next?' He suggested I attend his history of art access course. "Whatever's that?' I asked. The college had an open evening coming up, so I went along to find out. A full-time access course takes one year and gives you access to university if, like me, you left school without any qualifications, and it's free if you do it full-time. I only wanted to do the art history bit.

§ 3. Lyn, who organises the courses for the college, was enthusiastic. "Why don't you do the whole course? You could start in the spring term with art history, do another module in the summer, then go full-time in the autumn and do all the subjects." It sounded wonderful, but wasn't I a bit old, at 63, to start being a student? A definite 'no'. One of the students that year was 82. That decided it. It must be worth having a go.

§ 4. The art history part of the course, which I've just completed, was stimulating. The tutors are enthusiasts and infect us all with their enjoyment of the subjects they teach. "Lively' would be the word to describe the classes. My fellow students, who are also doing subjects like psychology, maths, biology, etc., are good company. They're mainly people in their thirties with children, taking a second bite at the educational cherry.

§ 5. We have homework and have to do an essay each term for each subject, and sit exams. For art history, we had to produce a journal about all the painters we'd learnt about — which was fun, but rather time-consuming. Occasionally, I envy the more typical mature students, who just do courses for fun and don't have to do exams or essays, but really I'm a very happy lady. There are drawbacks, however. The main one is you have to make a commitment. During term time, you can't just drop everything and go out for the day if the sun shines — one of the supposed joys of retirement.

§ 6. Will I go on to university if I'm successful? I'll see how next year goes. Meanwhile, exercising my brain cells is working well for me. I feel alive. The garden's getting a bit out of control, but that's the least of my worries!

§ 1. I was struggling to get by. I had just moved to Gloucester from London and had taken the first job that I was offered. I was barely earning enough to do my weekly shopping and I wished I had the money I used to make back in London. As I couldn't afford my own place, I had settled for my best friend's sofa, but the hard cushions and backaches had made me realise that, above all else, I longed for my old flat — my little peaceful place! I soon began to wonder if moving had been the right decision. That's when I heard a radio advert that changed my life...

§ 2. "Looking for your own place but worrying about the cost? Worry no more! You could live free for a year in the 'Enviro-House', one of Britain's first environmentally friendly homes. We're looking for a resident to live rent-free! For more details, visit www..." My friend had heard about this house and he thought that it would be very difficult to stick to an energy conserving routine. I should have considered this, or at least have been concerned about how many "guests' would actually pass through. But, as I sat on the painfully uncomfortable sofa, the only thing in my head were the words... "Live free, live free."

§ 3. I visited the website and entered the competition to become an 'eco-housemate'. I was one of three lucky finalists who had to battle it out for a place in the house live on local television. The other finalists were keen environmentalists with a passion for the issue, unlike me. I had never really given it much attention to be honest, as it was insignificant to me. I joked with the audience that the only way I was going to learn was if they sent me to the house! They agreed. As I walked through the front door of the house, I had worrying visions of living in a futuristic house, full of high-tech gadgets. I certainly wouldn't have been surprised to see a number of complex-looking machines. However, I was shocked to see the house was completely normal. In fact, it looked just like any other house. This eased my mind a bit, as I rarely find modern technology easy to understand, I prefer the simple life. The heating system, water supply and electricity all worked in exactly the same way as they would in any other house in the UK. The only difference was that the house used renewable sources of energy. Solar panels and small wind turbines were used to provide the hot water and electricity.

§ 4. My experiences in the house made me look at the way I had lived my life in the past and how I should live it in the future. For example, it's neither difficult nor time-consuming to recycle, as long as you make it part of your daily routine. I also changed my perspective on which energy sources to use. It's very simple to make those all-important changes we just need the motivation to make them.

§ 1. I was struggling to get by. I had just moved to Gloucester from London and had taken the first job that I was offered. I was barely earning enough to do my weekly shopping and I wished I had the money I used to make back in London. As I couldn't afford my own place, I had settled for my best friend's sofa, but the hard cushions and backaches had made me realise that, above all else, I longed for my old flat — my little peaceful place! I soon began to wonder if moving had been the right decision. That's when I heard a radio advert that changed my life...

§ 2. "Looking for your own place but worrying about the cost? Worry no more! You could live free for a year in the 'Enviro-House', one of Britain's first environmentally friendly homes. We're looking for a resident to live rent-free! For more details, visit www..." My friend had heard about this house and he thought that it would be very difficult to stick to an energy conserving routine. I should have considered this, or at least have been concerned about how many "guests' would actually pass through. But, as I sat on the painfully uncomfortable sofa, the only thing in my head were the words... "Live free, live free."

§ 3. I visited the website and entered the competition to become an 'eco-housemate'. I was one of three lucky finalists who had to battle it out for a place in the house live on local television. The other finalists were keen environmentalists with a passion for the issue, unlike me. I had never really given it much attention to be honest, as it was insignificant to me. I joked with the audience that the only way I was going to learn was if they sent me to the house! They agreed. As I walked through the front door of the house, I had worrying visions of living in a futuristic house, full of high-tech gadgets. I certainly wouldn't have been surprised to see a number of complex-looking machines. However, I was shocked to see the house was completely normal. In fact, it looked just like any other house. This eased my mind a bit, as I rarely find modern technology easy to understand, I prefer the simple life. The heating system, water supply and electricity all worked in exactly the same way as they would in any other house in the UK. The only difference was that the house used renewable sources of energy. Solar panels and small wind turbines were used to provide the hot water and electricity.

§ 4. My experiences in the house made me look at the way I had lived my life in the past and how I should live it in the future. For example, it's neither difficult nor time-consuming to recycle, as long as you make it part of your daily routine. I also changed my perspective on which energy sources to use. It's very simple to make those all-important changes we just need the motivation to make them.

§ 1. Minutes before the start of a British Grand Prix in August, the drivers' faces are grave with concentration. Fans are screaming. Squeezed into his driving seat, Nelson Jones is pulling on a pair of tight black gloves. No question where he's expecting to finish: "First," he says. At the start signal, with a burst of engine noise, the drivers move quickly to the first turn.

§ 2. It all sounds a lot like a Formula One car race, but there's a difference — Nelson is thirteen years old, and he's racing in a go-kart. What could be seen as child's play is in fact the first step for young talent to move into professional race cars, because it introduces them to the essential basics such as finding the racing line, concentration and how to compete on the track. That track record makes karting a must for youngsters keen to make racing their life's ambition.

§ 3. Nelson Jones has actually been racing since he was eight years old. "When my son Nelson showed us how gifted he was with racing, even at an incredibly young age, I knew we had to do something," Nelson's father says. "Racing can be really dangerous and it gets expensive, but when I had the opportunity to buy him his first official kart, I rushed to do it."

§ 4. After taking part in three or four local races in Britain, in which he won first place, Nelson decided that he would go for it and have a crack at his first international Grand Prix in Germany, which he won as well. Nelson now travels all over Britain and Europe to take part in races. The interest he showed in racing was not via the usual exposure to video games. "We lived near a small karting racetrack and I became fascinated — I couldn't stop talking about it. One day, as we were driving past, I made my father stop the car so I could have a better look at the karts flying by. I saw so many people, including kids my own age, and I took a liking to it straight away.'

§ 5. Nelson eventually got his chance to try it out. The family hired an instructor for amateurs to teach Nelson, who took him as far as the age of twelve. The instructor then informed Nelson's father it was time to look for someone more qualified. Perhaps it is Nelson's good fortune in having always been expertly advised that has made him so relaxed about facing the pressures of an international racing circuit. But what is it like to be so young with a schedule fully booked with races, and all eyes watching him, expecting victory after victory? It's good for me, as I know what I need to be doing. The public's expectations help me focus and concentrate so I can race at my highest level.'

§ 1. High up in the mountains of southeast Asia, you can find the Akha hill tribes living in their traditional villages and farming the land.

§ 2. The history of the Akha people goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. They originally came from Tibet and have maintained the physical characteristics of that region, being fairly short and dark in complexion. Today, they live in small villages in the mountainous parts of China, Laos and northern Thailand. The Akha people are rich in culture, history and tradition. But they are also among the world's poorest people. Akha women remain remarkably strong and cheerful in the face of such a hard life. Akha men are brave and strong.

§ 3. The Akha have their own way of measuring time where one week lasts 12 days. Each village has its own leader or headman, and under his guidance people follow a code of behaviour known as the Akha Way. Thanks to the Akha Way, each person in these small communities knows their role in society. The men provide for their families by farming crops. They are also talented craftsmen. The women do spinning and weaving and make their own clothes. They wear colourfully decorated black shirts and skirts, and thick black leggings. Their headdresses are especially distinctive. As for the children, even though many of them don't attend school, they all know the names of every plant and animal in the forest. There is no written Akha language but the oral tradition is very rich.

§ 4. Akha villages all look quite similar. The bamboo houses with their thatched roofs stand on stilts (сваи) on the hillsides. Every village has two wooden frames that look like a doorway at its entrance and exit. These structures have spiritual significance and are called the 'spirit gates'. Artists cover the frames with carvings of both evil and smiling faces. This is to invite good spirits to enter the village and keep bad spirits out. Each summer the men build a swing in a public open space. Here the young children gather to play, but not just as a playground game — it is part of the yearly ceremony to honour dead ancestors.

§ 5. Sadly, the Akha Way is slowly disappearing from many villages. A growing number of tourists are visiting them and introducing a taste of Western culture. The women and girls only dress traditionally when there are tourists around in the hope they will buy souvenirs. Some Akha have even decided to take things a step further: they are leaving their villages to seek their fortunes in the big cities.

§ 1. I want to tell you about my old friend Bobbie Cardew. If you're a recent acquaintance of Bobbie's, you'll probably be surprised to hear that there was a time when he was known for having a weak memory. In the days when first knew him Bobbie Cardew was the most unreliable person you could ever imagine. If I invited him to come and have dinner with me, I had to go to all sorts of trouble. I used to post him a letter at the beginning of the week, and then the day before send him a telegram, and a phone call on the day itself.

§ 2. One day Bobbie did something I would never have expected. He fell in love, got married — full of excitement, as if it were the greatest fun in the world — and then began to find out things.

§ 3. Her name was Mary Anthony. She was a hospital nurse. When Bobbie Smashed himself up playing polo she was there in the hospital taking care of him. No sooner was he up and about again than they were busy making wedding plans. A real case of love at first sight They took a flat and settled down. I was in and out of the place a good deal. Everything appeared to be running along as Smoothly as you could want. Mary seemed to think Bobbie the greatest thing on earth and Bobbie seemed to think the same about her.

§ 4. But now we come to the incident of the Quiet Dinner, which is when things began to happen. I met Bobbie in the street one day and he asked me to come back to dinner at his flat. When we got there I was amazed at how lovely Mary looked. She had her red-gold hair piled up on her head with a diamond tiara in it and was wearing a really beautiful dress. No wonder, I thought, that Bobbie liked married life. "Hello, dear," he said. "I've brought Reggie home for a bit of dinner." Mary stared at him as if she had never seen him before. Then she turned scarlet. Then she turned white as a sheet of paper. Then she gave a little laugh, before finally recovering herself. After that she was all right. She talked a lot at dinner, teased Bobbie and played tunes for us on the piano afterwards, as if she hadn't a care in the world. But I had seen her face at the beginning, and I knew that she was working hard to keep herself in hand and not scream. At the very earliest moment I made my excuses and got away.

§ 5. When I met Bobbie at the club next day he seemed glad to have someone to talk to."Do you know how long I've been married?" he said "About a year, isn't it?" "Not about a year," he said sadly. "Yesterday was the anniversary of the wedding. I'd arranged to take Mary to the theatre. She particularly wanted to hear Caruso sing. I had a ticket for the box in my pocket. You know, all through dinner I had some vague idea that there was something I'd forgotten, but I couldn't think what."

§ 1. Claudio Bonifacio is a modern day treasure hunter. For most people, the title 'treasure hunter' more than likely brings to mind images of brave explorers fighting pirates to find a chest (сундук) full of sparkling jewels. But contrary to this stereotype, Bonifacio finds most of his bullion (gold and silver) in libraries full of ancient shipping records rather than with the help of the ancient magical map you might expect. He has spent many years searching the naval archives in Seville, from which he has located the positions of more than 2,500 sunken galleons — the ships the Spaniards used to sail the high seas from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

§ 2. Bonifacio has turned his activities into a very profitable career. Such is his fame as a marine archeologist that he can demand very large fees. He provides the information he gathers out from his research to companies with the resources to raise the bullion from the wrecks. Bonifacio has worked for several Latin American governments, the Spanish government and the Italian national council.

§ 3. However, Bonifacio is unwilling to reveal the names of his private clients, or say how much money they have made from the wrecks. The reason for this is that they wish to remain anonymous due to uncertainty about ownership of the ocean floor (дно). Countries such as Honduras, where Bonifacio has discovered many wrecks, insist on their right to take all the treasures found in their territorial waters. § 4. Bonifacio is unsure of exactly how much bullion has been found by others as a result of his years of hard work, but he is sure that it must be many millions of dollars worth. "I hear reports," he says, "but in this type of work there is a great amount of secrecy, not only because of governments claiming the entire treasure, but also for tax reasons."

§ 5. Bonifacio's passion has also stimulated the discovery of old Spanish and Portuguese gold mines in South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. "In the 1560s and 1570s, he explains, "most of the gold and silver transported to Europe was stolen from the Incas and the Aztecs; but later, mines provided the main source of bullion. Mining technology in those days, however, was naturally very basic and the mines were not worked very efficiently. Most were eventually abandoned because it was believed there was no more gold to be found. Now, though, with modern day techniques, the world's mining companies are of course only too happy to pay me to search the records and find them! They know only too well that there is more than likely still plenty of gold just waiting to be discovered."

Like most tourists, I enjoy taking photographs on holiday and can't wait to show them to friends and family when I get back. But whilst for me they represent treasured memories, to others they are more often than not simply a collection of boring, badly composed, out of focus pictures. So this year I decided to do something about this by booking myself on a trip to Rome which included photography lessons.

The first time I went to Rome, I remember thinking that it was a photographer's paradise with a fantastic photo opportunity lying around every corner. (A43) ___ Added to this was the fact that there were crowds of tourists everywhere, blocking all the best views. But this second time things were different. Antonio, my photography tutor, was on hand to give expert advice every step of the way.

The first thing Antonio told our group was that the secret to creating a good photographic image rather than just a snapshot is to first take a long look at what you want to photograph. For example, he said, you should consider the background just as much as you do the subject. (A44) ___ You can get unwanted figures out of your image simply by getting down on your knees to take a picture, for instance, or changing the angle of the shot.

Our first port of call was Piazza Navona, where Antonio gave us advice about how to photograph the Fountain of Neptune. (A45) ___ Then, he added that we should take the photo with the fountain slightly off centre.

Next, we headed off to the Pantheon, which was originally an ancient Roman temple. Along the way, I took the opportunity to photograph anything that caught my eye. The Pantheon itself is so huge that it is impossible to take a good photograph of the whole thing. (A46) ___ I tried out this technique by lying down on the floor and taking a picture of just one section of the great domed ceiling. I was pretty pleased with the results.

For the next couple of hours, we wandered around the historic centre visiting many of Rome's architectural highlights. (A47) ___ And I felt that I was really able to appreciate the sights as I had to look at each one so carefully in order to get good pictures.

We finished off our first morning tour with a stop at a traditional Roman street café. After all the hard work and walking I'd done, a large Italian ice cream seemed like the perfect reward! (A48) ___ It felt like a whole new world had opened up to me. I learnt an incredible amount over the next two days, as well as having a thoroughly enjoyable time in one of the world's most beautiful cities.

1. Homes For All

Organisations that help the homeless are warning that people will face even greater problems this winter unless urgent action is taken to offer shelter to those without a home. This warning follows publication of figures showing an increase in the number of homeless people. Susan Evans of the organisation "Homes for All' said: "With not enough accommodation, more people than ever before — young and old — are having to sleep in the open. A cold winter is predicted this year which means that these people will have to put up with sub-zero temperatures. Action must be taken urgently to offer these people shelter." A nationwide demonstration to draw attention to the problem will take place this weekend. Supporters welcome.

2. Village Protest

Residents of local village, Shilden, are preparing for a night of protest to save their village from Government planners. Proposals for a new motorway to be built that will run within 2 kilometres of Shilden have caused protests among the population. They claim that they were given insufficient time to respond to the proposal. Tony Fellows, spokesperson for the 'Village Protest' campaign explains: "The planned route cuts across some of the most picturesque countryside in the region. Shilden welcomes thousands of tourists each year. Many of the shopkeepers depend on this trade and would almost certainly face ruin if tourists were put off coming by the damage this road is likely to cause." The all-night protest will take place in the fields where the building work is likely to begin.

3. New Youth Club

Youngsters in the city-centre will lose out on a much-loved project if sufficient funds are not found this year. The New Youth Club', which is open to young people from the ages of 10 to 17, is being threatened with closure by Health and Safety officials who claim the building is unsafe. The club, built 30 years ago, was badly damaged by heavy storms last year and city engineers estimate that one hundred thousand pounds is needed to repair structural damage. With only limited funds that they possess, managers fear the club will have to close. Youngsters from the club have organised an Open Day on Tuesday in an effort to raise some of the money needed to enable the repairs to be undertaken. "This alone won't be enough, however" warned Adam Ross, Youth Leader.

4. Save Lea Valley

A rare species of butterfly and many native plants face extinction if the "Lea Valley office complex' project goes ahead. This is the complaint made by local environmentalists involved in the 'Save Lea Valley' campaign. They argue that the proposed development, to be built on the site of woodland that has a history of hundreds of years, will rob the country of several rare species of wildlife. "Local people would be horrified if they knew of the consequences of this project," claimed environmentalist Ian Wilson yesterday. "We need to start a local campaign to warn everyone about the dangers. We are starting by writing letters to everyone in the area asking for their support. The office complex developers must not be allowed to do this."

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. Django

Coming second in the free running world championships has landed me roles in music videos, but it doesn't bring in quite enough to get by, so I'm a bike courier. That isn't ideal, but it won't make me quit, and I try to stop it getting me down. I'm always looking out for new opportunities. For instance, I'm currently working on a deal with a potential sponsor — a sportswear company called Free Spirit. That's me! I don't run on a track, I go wherever I want. I don't let any obstacles or worries about danger hold me back. Not when I'm running, nor any other time! There are too many distractions when you play sports in groups. Alone, you can concentrate on each movement, completely in tune your body and your surroundings.

2. Monica

There's still this stereotype of relaxed, supercool surfer. If only it were true! You can't be relaxed if you want to succeed, and for me, second place is as bad as last place. If I see someone doing a new trick it obsesses me. I study all their moves and work out how to copy them. I don't care how many times I fall off the board or how many bruises I get as long as I can do it perfectly in the end. It can be a lonely sport. If you're getting up at dawn every day to catch the best waves, then you don't want to go out much in the evenings. But I figure, I'm young, and all that can wait — I just want a few more trophies first!

3. Mario

My parents were initially against my taking up wheelchair rugby because it's often perceived to be dangerous. Some people even call it 'murderball'! So far I've managed to avoid any crashes on the court myself, although I've had a few near misses. I reckon if you're speedy enough you can avoid most collisions! Anyway, luckily, I managed to persuade my parents to change their minds and so I wasn't forced to give it up. Now I regularly hear them cheering in the stands — they nearly deafen me each time I scorel Wheelchair rugby's so exciting it's becoming increasingly popular with spectators, which is great because that may mean more funding. Sadly, the modified chairs don't come cheap! It'd be a shame if that put anyone off the sport.

4. Gabriella

When I tell people what I do they often laugh, which drives me mad. If I hadn't trained really hard, I wouldn't be where I am today. Looks aren't enough; you've got to have talent, determination and strength. And I mean that in both ways. I work out a lot, often to the point of being completely worn out. As part of an acrobatic routine I sometimes have to carry other girls on my shoulders, and they're not as skinny as they look on TV You also need inner strength. Cheerleading is largely an amateur sport, so you don't get paid, but that doesn't stop it from being very competitive. I have seen instances of bullying among team mates, which is just terrible. I wish it wasn't an issue; I want to feel proud of my sport.

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.

1. David Mulcahy

David Mulcahy is a high-powered stock broker. He owns a beautiful flat in London's exclusive Notting Hill area. As well as a delightful home, David owns a brand new Mercedes, the car of his dreams "The only problem," David says, "is that I never get to drive it to work! I refuse to pay £8 to get in and out of the centre, so instead I take the tube!" "The tube', which is London's metro system, is a cheaper alternative, but David still thinks it's far too expensive. "A day pass on the tube is around £5. So, I pay over £100 each month, just to get to and back from the office!" He goes on, "I wish I could drive my car to work, but it seems that the car of my dreams is turning out to be a complete waste of money!"

2. Rachel Childress

Rachel Childress is the director of a large multinational organisation. Her commute is quite different to that of others. While most people get on the bus, Rachel takes the Channel Tunnel (or "Chunnel'). She lives in England but works in France. One of Rachel's close friends suggested that she should either move to France or give up her active role in the company. But she didn't think so... "Well, it's a brief 35 minute journey and manage to avoid all those horrible, long queues." The 'chunnel' train can accelerate to speeds of up to 160 km/h, so Rachel can even get to work faster than some of her friends who work in London. She says, "If it wasn't for this marvellous feat of engineering, I wouldn't know what to do."

3. Benjamin Goldstein

Benjamin Goldstein is a naval architect and his job requires him to travel to many parts of the world to oversee projects that he is responsible for. "I was offered this job as soon as I finished getting my qualifications and I almost turned it down, because I didn't think I would be able to stand all the travelling. I ់ it would be just too tiring. Fortunately, a good friend of mine, who also does a lot of travelling, gave me tips on how to cope with it and I've never regretted accepting the job." He says, "If you keep yourself fit and make sure you get plenty of rest before and during long flights, it isn't actually that bad. And good nutrition helps, too."

4. Judith Kettering

Judith Kettering made a big move last year. After completing university, she decided that she wanted to start a new life in another country. She wanted to teach English to foreign children, so she hopped on the aeroplane to Greece and, since then, she has never looked back. "I'm so happy here in Athens, but if there's one thing that annoys me it's the traffic jams! The buses are so slow!" She claims that, sometimes, buses have been up to 45 minutes later than the time stated on the schedule. "I've been late for work several times because of traffic jams and it's caused me a lot of bother!" She has a proposal though. "If more people got on the bus instead of driving, the roads would be clearer and services could run more efficiently. Plus, if you're a bit of an 'earth child' like me, you'll know that getting on the bus or tram is a great way to fight against air pollution!"

Since its invention in the late 1950s, the skateboard has become a standard item of sports equipment for teenage boys. By the early 1970s, bicycle manufacturers started producing quality skateboards which broke less (B1) ... and had more (B2) ... wheels that would not come off and cause injury. The (B3)... of the sport declined in the 1980s when some critics argued it was still too risky and (B4) .... However, skateboarding has made a comeback and is likely to remain a symbol of youthful energy for many years.

Since its invention in the late 1950s, the skateboard has become a standard item of sports equipment for teenage boys. By the early 1970s, bicycle manufacturers started producing quality skateboards which broke less (B1) ... and had more (B2) ... wheels that would not come off and cause injury. The (B3)... of the sport declined in the 1980s when some critics argued it was still too risky and (B4) .... However, skateboarding has made a comeback and is likely to remain a symbol of youthful energy for many years.

It's hard to find a place to eat which satisfies the whole family. I remember my parents taking me as a child to the most (B1) ... restaurant they could find. They didn't think it was worth spending a lot of money on someone who had notable manners. Today the choice of restaurants is so great, however, that total (B2) ... is rare. It's difficult to explain exactly what I am looking for in a restaurant. It's certainly not (B3) ... surroundings, although I must admit that I'm usually (B4) ... to go into a place that looks dirty.

Ali Baba's restaurant in central London is one of the best restaurants I've been to for a long time. It has an extensive range of Turkish dishes including plenty of choices which are (B1) ... even for vegetarians. The restaurant has a very pleasant atmosphere. At weekends diners can enjoy performances by Turkish singers and dancers. We are sure that you will have an (B2) ... evening if you go to Ali Baba's. You will also find it unexpectedly (B3) ... . A meal for two will cost roughly £20 on condition that you stick to the house wines. But there is an excellent (B4) ... of these on the wine list.

Many young people nowadays are pessimistic about the future. The pessimists see that the world is getting (B5) ... and more crowded. As a result, it is becoming more difficult to find work; even though people (B6) ... their best to go to university, they are not sure they will be lucky (B7) ... to find a job afterwards.

(B5) ... to the myth of the Tower of Babel (B6) ... was once a time when all people spoke a common language. This doesn't seem a very believable story if you consider how many languages are spoken in the world today. (B7) ... is true is that throughout history people have always searched for a global language, one that can be used to communicate with anyone, no (B8) ... where they originally come from.

The Ryder Cup is a famous golf tournament and it is now (B5) ... of the biggest events in sport. Tickets regularly sell out within hours after going on sale. (B6) ... makes it different from other golf tournaments is that it involves teams rather (B7) ... individuals, with Europe competing against the USA. (B8) ... is no prize money, but emotions run high. The players enjoy experiencing again the original feelings that made them take up the sport in the first place.

The most common materials which are recycled are paper and glass. Some plastics, metals and textiles can be recycled as (B5) ... . In theory recycling seems obvious: however, in practice it is not always cost-effective. Often the cost of collection and transportation is greater (B6) ... the cost of the energy saved. It also means that (B7) ... are fewer jobs available in industries (B8) ... as mining, as demand for raw materials is lower.