Банк заданий
ЕГЭ по английскому языку

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Challenges for foreigners in Russia

If you are moving from an English-speaking country to another, some of the problems of the new location will be minimized, but moving to a foreign language country is probably one of the hardest things to do. You will probably experience culture shock and will definitely have your ups and downs. Here’s a list of challenges you can expect to run into while you adjust to Russia.

Language, of course, is a no-brainer, but I couldn’t leave it off the list! I strongly advise learning at least the alphabet before coming to Russia to avoid feeling completely isolated. While going anywhere where you don’t speak the language can knock you down for a while, Russian is especially difficult with its complex grammar structure (cases, verb aspect, prefixes), unpredictable word stress, and difficult pronunciation (the letters ы, ь, and й always get me) … which also means your successes will be especially triumphant!

Effective communication is an essential part of our lives that we often overlook when it comes so naturally, but the first time you can’t answer a cashier’s simple question or can’t properly vent to your host family about your day, you will never underestimate the power of words again.

The second challenge is expressing emotions. Most people are familiar with the stereotype that “Russians don’t smile”. From my observation, Russians tend to show little emotion outside of home. Surrounded by strangers, often in harsh or unpleasant weather, there is no reason to emote freely. Of course, you see friends laughing and couples kissing and people arguing, but for the most part (excluding driving), emotions stay on the inside. Until you get home, when Russians are comfortable and around people they trust, passions run strong.

In the United States, the expression of our emotions tends to vary little in different circumstances, but when expressed, Russian emotions can be even stronger and perhaps even more genuine and heartfelt than Americans are used to.

In addition, if you are a foreign student in Russia, the biggest challenge is a different education system. Russian higher education is very different from that in the United States. For the most part, universities are buildings scattered throughout a city, not the centralized micro-cities that many US students are used to. Russians generally take 9––11 classes per semester that meet less frequently than American courses would, and it is not uncommon to skip a class almost entirely and just cram for the final from other students’ notes or a study guide. Professors are also less available –– no office hours, they don’t always give out a school e-mail address, and in general they treat students more like colleagues.

It can be a shock going from a campus plastered with student event flyers to a cluster of half-empty academic buildings, but don’t worry –– Russians make up for it by hosting a plethora of clubs and organizations for the city in general. Especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow there are hundreds of clubs to join from language (be a star in the English conversation club; meet other foreigners in the Russian club), sports, acting, dancing,  singing, board games, movie-watching, and more! Try making some searches on the Russian social network V Kontakte to start out.

Going abroad for a long period of time has its difficulties no matter where you choose to go, but the better prepared you are for the challenges you’ll face in Russia, the faster you will adjust and be able to call this northern empire your second home.

12. What are people sure to experience when coming to stay in a different country, according to the author?

1) Both good and bad emotions.

2) Language barrier .

3) Confusion.

4) Loneliness.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Challenges for foreigners in Russia

If you are moving from an English-speaking country to another, some of the problems of the new location will be minimized, but moving to a foreign language country is probably one of the hardest things to do. You will probably experience culture shock and will definitely have your ups and downs. Here’s a list of challenges you can expect to run into while you adjust to Russia.

Language, of course, is a no-brainer, but I couldn’t leave it off the list! I strongly advise learning at least the alphabet before coming to Russia to avoid feeling completely isolated. While going anywhere where you don’t speak the language can knock you down for a while, Russian is especially difficult with its complex grammar structure (cases, verb aspect, prefixes), unpredictable word stress, and difficult pronunciation (the letters ы, ь, and й always get me) … which also means your successes will be especially triumphant!

Effective communication is an essential part of our lives that we often overlook when it comes so naturally, but the first time you can’t answer a cashier’s simple question or can’t properly vent to your host family about your day, you will never underestimate the power of words again.

The second challenge is expressing emotions. Most people are familiar with the stereotype that “Russians don’t smile”. From my observation, Russians tend to show little emotion outside of home. Surrounded by strangers, often in harsh or unpleasant weather, there is no reason to emote freely. Of course, you see friends laughing and couples kissing and people arguing, but for the most part (excluding driving), emotions stay on the inside. Until you get home, when Russians are comfortable and around people they trust, passions run strong.

In the United States, the expression of our emotions tends to vary little in different circumstances, but when expressed, Russian emotions can be even stronger and perhaps even more genuine and heartfelt than Americans are used to.

In addition, if you are a foreign student in Russia, the biggest challenge is a different education system. Russian higher education is very different from that in the United States. For the most part, universities are buildings scattered throughout a city, not the centralized micro-cities that many US students are used to. Russians generally take 9––11 classes per semester that meet less frequently than American courses would, and it is not uncommon to skip a class almost entirely and just cram for the final from other students’ notes or a study guide. Professors are also less available –– no office hours, they don’t always give out a school e-mail address, and in general they treat students more like colleagues.

It can be a shock going from a campus plastered with student event flyers to a cluster of half-empty academic buildings, but don’t worry –– Russians make up for it by hosting a plethora of clubs and organizations for the city in general. Especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow there are hundreds of clubs to join from language (be a star in the English conversation club; meet other foreigners in the Russian club), sports, acting, dancing,  singing, board games, movie-watching, and more! Try making some searches on the Russian social network V Kontakte to start out.

Going abroad for a long period of time has its difficulties no matter where you choose to go, but the better prepared you are for the challenges you’ll face in Russia, the faster you will adjust and be able to call this northern empire your second home.

13. The author believes that going to a foreign country without knowing its language is …

1) hard.

2) useful.

3) stupid.

4) common.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Challenges for foreigners in Russia

If you are moving from an English-speaking country to another, some of the problems of the new location will be minimized, but moving to a foreign language country is probably one of the hardest things to do. You will probably experience culture shock and will definitely have your ups and downs. Here’s a list of challenges you can expect to run into while you adjust to Russia.

Language, of course, is a no-brainer, but I couldn’t leave it off the list! I strongly advise learning at least the alphabet before coming to Russia to avoid feeling completely isolated. While going anywhere where you don’t speak the language can knock you down for a while, Russian is especially difficult with its complex grammar structure (cases, verb aspect, prefixes), unpredictable word stress, and difficult pronunciation (the letters ы, ь, and й always get me) … which also means your successes will be especially triumphant!

Effective communication is an essential part of our lives that we often overlook when it comes so naturally, but the first time you can’t answer a cashier’s simple question or can’t properly vent to your host family about your day, you will never underestimate the power of words again.

The second challenge is expressing emotions. Most people are familiar with the stereotype that “Russians don’t smile”. From my observation, Russians tend to show little emotion outside of home. Surrounded by strangers, often in harsh or unpleasant weather, there is no reason to emote freely. Of course, you see friends laughing and couples kissing and people arguing, but for the most part (excluding driving), emotions stay on the inside. Until you get home, when Russians are comfortable and around people they trust, passions run strong.

In the United States, the expression of our emotions tends to vary little in different circumstances, but when expressed, Russian emotions can be even stronger and perhaps even more genuine and heartfelt than Americans are used to.

In addition, if you are a foreign student in Russia, the biggest challenge is a different education system. Russian higher education is very different from that in the United States. For the most part, universities are buildings scattered throughout a city, not the centralized micro-cities that many US students are used to. Russians generally take 9––11 classes per semester that meet less frequently than American courses would, and it is not uncommon to skip a class almost entirely and just cram for the final from other students’ notes or a study guide. Professors are also less available –– no office hours, they don’t always give out a school e-mail address, and in general they treat students more like colleagues.

It can be a shock going from a campus plastered with student event flyers to a cluster of half-empty academic buildings, but don’t worry –– Russians make up for it by hosting a plethora of clubs and organizations for the city in general. Especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow there are hundreds of clubs to join from language (be a star in the English conversation club; meet other foreigners in the Russian club), sports, acting, dancing,  singing, board games, movie-watching, and more! Try making some searches on the Russian social network V Kontakte to start out.

Going abroad for a long period of time has its difficulties no matter where you choose to go, but the better prepared you are for the challenges you’ll face in Russia, the faster you will adjust and be able to call this northern empire your second home.

14. It is implied that your communication skills are … when you live abroad.

1) improved naturally

2) challenged

3) more effective

4) often ignored

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Challenges for foreigners in Russia

If you are moving from an English-speaking country to another, some of the problems of the new location will be minimized, but moving to a foreign language country is probably one of the hardest things to do. You will probably experience culture shock and will definitely have your ups and downs. Here’s a list of challenges you can expect to run into while you adjust to Russia.

Language, of course, is a no-brainer, but I couldn’t leave it off the list! I strongly advise learning at least the alphabet before coming to Russia to avoid feeling completely isolated. While going anywhere where you don’t speak the language can knock you down for a while, Russian is especially difficult with its complex grammar structure (cases, verb aspect, prefixes), unpredictable word stress, and difficult pronunciation (the letters ы, ь, and й always get me) … which also means your successes will be especially triumphant!

Effective communication is an essential part of our lives that we often overlook when it comes so naturally, but the first time you can’t answer a cashier’s simple question or can’t properly vent to your host family about your day, you will never underestimate the power of words again.

The second challenge is expressing emotions. Most people are familiar with the stereotype that “Russians don’t smile”. From my observation, Russians tend to show little emotion outside of home. Surrounded by strangers, often in harsh or unpleasant weather, there is no reason to emote freely. Of course, you see friends laughing and couples kissing and people arguing, but for the most part (excluding driving), emotions stay on the inside. Until you get home, when Russians are comfortable and around people they trust, passions run strong.

In the United States, the expression of our emotions tends to vary little in different circumstances, but when expressed, Russian emotions can be even stronger and perhaps even more genuine and heartfelt than Americans are used to.

In addition, if you are a foreign student in Russia, the biggest challenge is a different education system. Russian higher education is very different from that in the United States. For the most part, universities are buildings scattered throughout a city, not the centralized micro-cities that many US students are used to. Russians generally take 9––11 classes per semester that meet less frequently than American courses would, and it is not uncommon to skip a class almost entirely and just cram for the final from other students’ notes or a study guide. Professors are also less available –– no office hours, they don’t always give out a school e-mail address, and in general they treat students more like colleagues.

It can be a shock going from a campus plastered with student event flyers to a cluster of half-empty academic buildings, but don’t worry –– Russians make up for it by hosting a plethora of clubs and organizations for the city in general. Especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow there are hundreds of clubs to join from language (be a star in the English conversation club; meet other foreigners in the Russian club), sports, acting, dancing,  singing, board games, movie-watching, and more! Try making some searches on the Russian social network V Kontakte to start out.

Going abroad for a long period of time has its difficulties no matter where you choose to go, but the better prepared you are for the challenges you’ll face in Russia, the faster you will adjust and be able to call this northern empire your second home.

15. According to the author, expressing emotions in the Russian culture …

1) is untypical of many people.

2) differs depending on circumstances.

3) is forbidden in public places.

4) is similar to the American culture.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Challenges for foreigners in Russia

If you are moving from an English-speaking country to another, some of the problems of the new location will be minimized, but moving to a foreign language country is probably one of the hardest things to do. You will probably experience culture shock and will definitely have your ups and downs. Here’s a list of challenges you can expect to run into while you adjust to Russia.

Language, of course, is a no-brainer, but I couldn’t leave it off the list! I strongly advise learning at least the alphabet before coming to Russia to avoid feeling completely isolated. While going anywhere where you don’t speak the language can knock you down for a while, Russian is especially difficult with its complex grammar structure (cases, verb aspect, prefixes), unpredictable word stress, and difficult pronunciation (the letters ы, ь, and й always get me) … which also means your successes will be especially triumphant!

Effective communication is an essential part of our lives that we often overlook when it comes so naturally, but the first time you can’t answer a cashier’s simple question or can’t properly vent to your host family about your day, you will never underestimate the power of words again.

The second challenge is expressing emotions. Most people are familiar with the stereotype that “Russians don’t smile”. From my observation, Russians tend to show little emotion outside of home. Surrounded by strangers, often in harsh or unpleasant weather, there is no reason to emote freely. Of course, you see friends laughing and couples kissing and people arguing, but for the most part (excluding driving), emotions stay on the inside. Until you get home, when Russians are comfortable and around people they trust, passions run strong.

In the United States, the expression of our emotions tends to vary little in different circumstances, but when expressed, Russian emotions can be even stronger and perhaps even more genuine and heartfelt than Americans are used to.

In addition, if you are a foreign student in Russia, the biggest challenge is a different education system. Russian higher education is very different from that in the United States. For the most part, universities are buildings scattered throughout a city, not the centralized micro-cities that many US students are used to. Russians generally take 9––11 classes per semester that meet less frequently than American courses would, and it is not uncommon to skip a class almost entirely and just cram for the final from other students’ notes or a study guide. Professors are also less available –– no office hours, they don’t always give out a school e-mail address, and in general they treat students more like colleagues.

It can be a shock going from a campus plastered with student event flyers to a cluster of half-empty academic buildings, but don’t worry –– Russians make up for it by hosting a plethora of clubs and organizations for the city in general. Especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow there are hundreds of clubs to join from language (be a star in the English conversation club; meet other foreigners in the Russian club), sports, acting, dancing,  singing, board games, movie-watching, and more! Try making some searches on the Russian social network V Kontakte to start out.

Going abroad for a long period of time has its difficulties no matter where you choose to go, but the better prepared you are for the challenges you’ll face in Russia, the faster you will adjust and be able to call this northern empire your second home.

16. The author thinks that compared to the USA, in Russian universities …

1) final exams are more difficult.

2) education process is more centralized.

3) teachers are more professional.

4) students could disregard some classes.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Challenges for foreigners in Russia

If you are moving from an English-speaking country to another, some of the problems of the new location will be minimized, but moving to a foreign language country is probably one of the hardest things to do. You will probably experience culture shock and will definitely have your ups and downs. Here’s a list of challenges you can expect to run into while you adjust to Russia.

Language, of course, is a no-brainer, but I couldn’t leave it off the list! I strongly advise learning at least the alphabet before coming to Russia to avoid feeling completely isolated. While going anywhere where you don’t speak the language can knock you down for a while, Russian is especially difficult with its complex grammar structure (cases, verb aspect, prefixes), unpredictable word stress, and difficult pronunciation (the letters ы, ь, and й always get me) … which also means your successes will be especially triumphant!

Effective communication is an essential part of our lives that we often overlook when it comes so naturally, but the first time you can’t answer a cashier’s simple question or can’t properly vent to your host family about your day, you will never underestimate the power of words again.

The second challenge is expressing emotions. Most people are familiar with the stereotype that “Russians don’t smile”. From my observation, Russians tend to show little emotion outside of home. Surrounded by strangers, often in harsh or unpleasant weather, there is no reason to emote freely. Of course, you see friends laughing and couples kissing and people arguing, but for the most part (excluding driving), emotions stay on the inside. Until you get home, when Russians are comfortable and around people they trust, passions run strong.

In the United States, the expression of our emotions tends to vary little in different circumstances, but when expressed, Russian emotions can be even stronger and perhaps even more genuine and heartfelt than Americans are used to.

In addition, if you are a foreign student in Russia, the biggest challenge is a different education system. Russian higher education is very different from that in the United States. For the most part, universities are buildings scattered throughout a city, not the centralized micro-cities that many US students are used to. Russians generally take 9––11 classes per semester that meet less frequently than American courses would, and it is not uncommon to skip a class almost entirely and just cram for the final from other students’ notes or a study guide. Professors are also less available –– no office hours, they don’t always give out a school e-mail address, and in general they treat students more like colleagues.

It can be a shock going from a campus plastered with student event flyers to a cluster of half-empty academic buildings, but don’t worry –– Russians make up for it by hosting a plethora of clubs and organizations for the city in general. Especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow there are hundreds of clubs to join from language (be a star in the English conversation club; meet other foreigners in the Russian club), sports, acting, dancing,  singing, board games, movie-watching, and more! Try making some searches on the Russian social network V Kontakte to start out.

Going abroad for a long period of time has its difficulties no matter where you choose to go, but the better prepared you are for the challenges you’ll face in Russia, the faster you will adjust and be able to call this northern empire your second home.

17. “It” in “… Russians make up for it by hosting …” (paragraph 7) refers to the …

1) variety of student clubs.

2) social networking.

3) student activities.

4) quality of academic buildings.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Challenges for foreigners in Russia

If you are moving from an English-speaking country to another, some of the problems of the new location will be minimized, but moving to a foreign language country is probably one of the hardest things to do. You will probably experience culture shock and will definitely have your ups and downs. Here’s a list of challenges you can expect to run into while you adjust to Russia.

Language, of course, is a no-brainer, but I couldn’t leave it off the list! I strongly advise learning at least the alphabet before coming to Russia to avoid feeling completely isolated. While going anywhere where you don’t speak the language can knock you down for a while, Russian is especially difficult with its complex grammar structure (cases, verb aspect, prefixes), unpredictable word stress, and difficult pronunciation (the letters ы, ь, and й always get me) … which also means your successes will be especially triumphant!

Effective communication is an essential part of our lives that we often overlook when it comes so naturally, but the first time you can’t answer a cashier’s simple question or can’t properly vent to your host family about your day, you will never underestimate the power of words again.

The second challenge is expressing emotions. Most people are familiar with the stereotype that “Russians don’t smile”. From my observation, Russians tend to show little emotion outside of home. Surrounded by strangers, often in harsh or unpleasant weather, there is no reason to emote freely. Of course, you see friends laughing and couples kissing and people arguing, but for the most part (excluding driving), emotions stay on the inside. Until you get home, when Russians are comfortable and around people they trust, passions run strong.

In the United States, the expression of our emotions tends to vary little in different circumstances, but when expressed, Russian emotions can be even stronger and perhaps even more genuine and heartfelt than Americans are used to.

In addition, if you are a foreign student in Russia, the biggest challenge is a different education system. Russian higher education is very different from that in the United States. For the most part, universities are buildings scattered throughout a city, not the centralized micro-cities that many US students are used to. Russians generally take 9––11 classes per semester that meet less frequently than American courses would, and it is not uncommon to skip a class almost entirely and just cram for the final from other students’ notes or a study guide. Professors are also less available –– no office hours, they don’t always give out a school e-mail address, and in general they treat students more like colleagues.

It can be a shock going from a campus plastered with student event flyers to a cluster of half-empty academic buildings, but don’t worry –– Russians make up for it by hosting a plethora of clubs and organizations for the city in general. Especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow there are hundreds of clubs to join from language (be a star in the English conversation club; meet other foreigners in the Russian club), sports, acting, dancing,  singing, board games, movie-watching, and more! Try making some searches on the Russian social network V Kontakte to start out.

Going abroad for a long period of time has its difficulties no matter where you choose to go, but the better prepared you are for the challenges you’ll face in Russia, the faster you will adjust and be able to call this northern empire your second home.

18. What is the main idea expressed in the last paragraph?

1) The adaptation period to a foreign culture depends on an individual.

2) Living in Russia for a long time is rather challenging for foreigners.

3) The longer you stay abroad, the better prepared you become.

4) Preparation can smooth your adaptation period in Russia.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.  

 Пример ответа: 1

College food

Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.

What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.

Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.

That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.

College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.

Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.

Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.

Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

12. The author thinks that choosing a college should depend on …

1) food served there.

2) workout facilities.

3) classes and food.

4) healthy campus habits.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.  

 Пример ответа: 1

College food

Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.

What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.

Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.

That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.

College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.

Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.

Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.

Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

13. Which of the following is NOT true about college eating, according to the author?

1) Food choices in college can determine your future nutrition.

2) Most students lack fruit and vegetables in their diet.

3) More senior students have extra weight than first-year students.

4) After leaving home many freshmen eat unhealthy food.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.  

 Пример ответа: 1

College food

Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.

What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.

Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.

That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.

College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.

Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.

Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.

Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

14. In the author’s view, the Healthier Campus Initiative was started to …

1) study what meals colleges offer nationwide.

2) draw parents’ attention to students’ eating habits.

3) work with obese students and their parents.

4) encourage colleges to provide healthier food.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.  

 Пример ответа: 1

College food

Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.

What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.

Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.

That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.

College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.

Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.

Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.

Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

15. According to the article, college applicants nowadays …

1) are more concerned about college meal options.

2) are less intelligent than in the author’s time.

3) prefer colleges that offer wellness scholarships.

4) mostly choose a college based on meal plans.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.  

 Пример ответа: 1

College food

Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.

What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.

Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.

That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.

College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.

Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.

Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.

Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

16. The phrase take heed in “Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities” (Paragraph 6) is closest in meaning to …

1) pay attention.

2) stay back.

3) take time.

4) keep calm.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.  

 Пример ответа: 1

College food

Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.

What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.

Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.

That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.

College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.

Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.

Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.

Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

17. The author is using a reference to a famous proverb “An apple a day keeps a doctor away” (Paragraph 7 – An apple a year will keep no doctor away) to emphasize that …

1) your health depends on the food you eat.

2) it is important how often you eat healthy food.

3) snacks are also important in students’ diet.

4) applicants should check college menus first.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.  

 Пример ответа: 1

College food

Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.

What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.

Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.

That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.

College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.

Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.

Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.

Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

18. The main goal of the article is to …

1) discuss the reasons for obesity and chronic diseases.

2) call the readers’ attention to the importance of college food.

3) explain what colleges should do to attract more students.

4) encourage more colleges to join the Healthier Campus Initiative.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Highlands Express

The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.

A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.

The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.

That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty.  I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.

The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.

I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.

At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.

It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

12. The author decided to spend a holiday in the Highlands to …

1) ride an exclusive train.

2) spend some time on his own.

3) get away from the busy capital.

4) see what the Highlands are known for.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Highlands Express

The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.

A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.

The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.

That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty.  I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.

The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.

I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.

At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.

It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

13. It in Paragraph 3 (and a lake running alongside it) refers to the …

1) lakeshore.

2) street.

3) shop.

4) church.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Highlands Express

The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.

A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.

The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.

That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty.  I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.

The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.

I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.

At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.

It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

14. Which statement about the author’s fishing experience is FALSE?

1) His fishing skills slowly improved.

2) His attempts to catch something were useless.

3) The experience was quite satisfying.

4) The guide showed him how to throw the line.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Highlands Express

The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.

A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.

The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.

That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty.  I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.

The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.

I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.

At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.

It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

15. Unassuming in Paragraph 4 (My meal was unassuming but tasty) most probably means …

1) heavy.

2) healthy.

3) modest.

4) inexpensive.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Highlands Express

The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.

A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.

The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.

That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty.  I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.

The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.

I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.

At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.

It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

16. Hikers behaved strangely because they were …

1) attacked by insects.

2) performing a ritual.

3) impressed by the Highlands.

4) having an argument.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Highlands Express

The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.

A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.

The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.

That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty.  I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.

The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.

I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.

At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.

It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

17. What did the author NOT see at the museum?

1) Old textiles.

2) Magic stones.

3) Parts of weapons.

4) Ancient charms.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Highlands Express

The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.

A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.

The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.

That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty.  I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.

The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.

I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.

At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.

It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

18. How can the author’s weekend experience be described?

1) Thought-provoking.

2) Eye-opening.

3) Time-consuming.

4) Pressure-free.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Coffee decaffeination processes

Every day it seems that medical researchers come out with a new study about coffee, how it is extremely unhealthy for you and/or full of amazing benefits. The focus of most of these studies is more particularly about the effects of caffeine on human health. As caffeine, coffee’s most potent element, is a stimulant, it can produce both positive and negative effects. It can wake you up in the morning, but it can also lead to sleeplessness, a racing heartbeat, and anxiety.

It is therefore no surprise that many people have decided to cut caffeine out of their diets. As for me, I have grown to like the taste of coffee, but to me the main purpose of drinking it is to get an extra jolt of energy. That is why I will admit to a certain prejudice against decaf, perhaps prompted by bad experiences with weak and tasteless brew, because it is true that the actual process of removing caffeine from coffee can degrade the taste beyond repair.

Early decaffeination attempts involved soaking the green beans in water and then using various solvents to separate the caffeine in the resulting water solution. The beans were then re-introduced to the caffeine-free solution in order to absorb some of the flavor they had lost. Solvents used included benzene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene, all of which were later found to have toxic effects. In the 1970s, dichloromethane came into use to replace the earlier solvents before it too was deemed possibly carcinogenic.

In response to these concerns about solvents, some coffee companies began to run the water solution through charcoal filters as a means of removing the caffeine. The so-called Swiss Water Process, developed in Switzerland in the 1930s, goes one step further. After a batch of coffee beans has been steeped in hot water, that water is filtered, and then is used to soak the next batch of beans to be processed. In this way, the beans lose caffeine as they soak, but lose less of their flavor.

Yet another method that aims to safely remove caffeine from coffee beans involves a fascinating compound procedure. The solvent used in this method is neither water nor one of the earlier toxic solvents. Instead, caffeine in the coffee beans is dissolved by means of carbon dioxide. In order to accomplish this, the carbon dioxide must become a supercritical fluid, created when it is compressed and heated to the point that it has the same density in liquid and gaseous forms.

As this supercritical CO2 is passed through the beans, it can penetrate them because of its gaseous properties, and yet is able to dissolve the caffeine they contain because of its liquid properties.

In 2004, Brazilian scientists identified a new strain of coffee beans with a naturally low level of caffeine. They found three coffee plants from Ethiopia that contain almost no caffeine as they seem lack an enzyme necessary to caffeine production. If these plants can be crossed with commercial strains of coffee plants, we may one day see more coffee on the market that is naturally low in caffeine.

With these advances, and the current methods of decaffeination, decaf junkies are sure to be able to get their fix of coffee that not only tastes great, but won’t keep them up half the night.

As for me, I do want to stay up half the night, so I’ll stick to my full-strength brew.

12. According to the text (paragraph 1), the effects of caffeine …

1) have not been studied well enough.

2) can be of opposite character.

3) are very dangerous.

4) are not strong.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Coffee decaffeination processes

Every day it seems that medical researchers come out with a new study about coffee, how it is extremely unhealthy for you and/or full of amazing benefits. The focus of most of these studies is more particularly about the effects of caffeine on human health. As caffeine, coffee’s most potent element, is a stimulant, it can produce both positive and negative effects. It can wake you up in the morning, but it can also lead to sleeplessness, a racing heartbeat, and anxiety.

It is therefore no surprise that many people have decided to cut caffeine out of their diets. As for me, I have grown to like the taste of coffee, but to me the main purpose of drinking it is to get an extra jolt of energy. That is why I will admit to a certain prejudice against decaf, perhaps prompted by bad experiences with weak and tasteless brew, because it is true that the actual process of removing caffeine from coffee can degrade the taste beyond repair.

Early decaffeination attempts involved soaking the green beans in water and then using various solvents to separate the caffeine in the resulting water solution. The beans were then re-introduced to the caffeine-free solution in order to absorb some of the flavor they had lost. Solvents used included benzene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene, all of which were later found to have toxic effects. In the 1970s, dichloromethane came into use to replace the earlier solvents before it too was deemed possibly carcinogenic.

In response to these concerns about solvents, some coffee companies began to run the water solution through charcoal filters as a means of removing the caffeine. The so-called Swiss Water Process, developed in Switzerland in the 1930s, goes one step further. After a batch of coffee beans has been steeped in hot water, that water is filtered, and then is used to soak the next batch of beans to be processed. In this way, the beans lose caffeine as they soak, but lose less of their flavor.

Yet another method that aims to safely remove caffeine from coffee beans involves a fascinating compound procedure. The solvent used in this method is neither water nor one of the earlier toxic solvents. Instead, caffeine in the coffee beans is dissolved by means of carbon dioxide. In order to accomplish this, the carbon dioxide must become a supercritical fluid, created when it is compressed and heated to the point that it has the same density in liquid and gaseous forms.

As this supercritical CO2 is passed through the beans, it can penetrate them because of its gaseous properties, and yet is able to dissolve the caffeine they contain because of its liquid properties.

In 2004, Brazilian scientists identified a new strain of coffee beans with a naturally low level of caffeine. They found three coffee plants from Ethiopia that contain almost no caffeine as they seem lack an enzyme necessary to caffeine production. If these plants can be crossed with commercial strains of coffee plants, we may one day see more coffee on the market that is naturally low in caffeine.

With these advances, and the current methods of decaffeination, decaf junkies are sure to be able to get their fix of coffee that not only tastes great, but won’t keep them up half the night.

As for me, I do want to stay up half the night, so I’ll stick to my full-strength brew.

13. The author believes that caffeine in coffee …

1) is part of a healthy diet.

2) is quite low.

3) can’t be removed completely.

4) may determine its taste.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Coffee decaffeination processes

Every day it seems that medical researchers come out with a new study about coffee, how it is extremely unhealthy for you and/or full of amazing benefits. The focus of most of these studies is more particularly about the effects of caffeine on human health. As caffeine, coffee’s most potent element, is a stimulant, it can produce both positive and negative effects. It can wake you up in the morning, but it can also lead to sleeplessness, a racing heartbeat, and anxiety.

It is therefore no surprise that many people have decided to cut caffeine out of their diets. As for me, I have grown to like the taste of coffee, but to me the main purpose of drinking it is to get an extra jolt of energy. That is why I will admit to a certain prejudice against decaf, perhaps prompted by bad experiences with weak and tasteless brew, because it is true that the actual process of removing caffeine from coffee can degrade the taste beyond repair.

Early decaffeination attempts involved soaking the green beans in water and then using various solvents to separate the caffeine in the resulting water solution. The beans were then re-introduced to the caffeine-free solution in order to absorb some of the flavor they had lost. Solvents used included benzene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene, all of which were later found to have toxic effects. In the 1970s, dichloromethane came into use to replace the earlier solvents before it too was deemed possibly carcinogenic.

In response to these concerns about solvents, some coffee companies began to run the water solution through charcoal filters as a means of removing the caffeine. The so-called Swiss Water Process, developed in Switzerland in the 1930s, goes one step further. After a batch of coffee beans has been steeped in hot water, that water is filtered, and then is used to soak the next batch of beans to be processed. In this way, the beans lose caffeine as they soak, but lose less of their flavor.

Yet another method that aims to safely remove caffeine from coffee beans involves a fascinating compound procedure. The solvent used in this method is neither water nor one of the earlier toxic solvents. Instead, caffeine in the coffee beans is dissolved by means of carbon dioxide. In order to accomplish this, the carbon dioxide must become a supercritical fluid, created when it is compressed and heated to the point that it has the same density in liquid and gaseous forms.

As this supercritical CO2 is passed through the beans, it can penetrate them because of its gaseous properties, and yet is able to dissolve the caffeine they contain because of its liquid properties.

In 2004, Brazilian scientists identified a new strain of coffee beans with a naturally low level of caffeine. They found three coffee plants from Ethiopia that contain almost no caffeine as they seem lack an enzyme necessary to caffeine production. If these plants can be crossed with commercial strains of coffee plants, we may one day see more coffee on the market that is naturally low in caffeine.

With these advances, and the current methods of decaffeination, decaf junkies are sure to be able to get their fix of coffee that not only tastes great, but won’t keep them up half the night.

As for me, I do want to stay up half the night, so I’ll stick to my full-strength brew.

14. We learn that the early decaffeination processes …

1) were too complicated.

2) improved the taste of coffee.

3) were not effective.

4) could be dangerous for health.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

Coffee decaffeination processes

Every day it seems that medical researchers come out with a new study about coffee, how it is extremely unhealthy for you and/or full of amazing benefits. The focus of most of these studies is more particularly about the effects of caffeine on human health. As caffeine, coffee’s most potent element, is a stimulant, it can produce both positive and negative effects. It can wake you up in the morning, but it can also lead to sleeplessness, a racing heartbeat, and anxiety.

It is therefore no surprise that many people have decided to cut caffeine out of their diets. As for me, I have grown to like the taste of coffee, but to me the main purpose of drinking it is to get an extra jolt of energy. That is why I will admit to a certain prejudice against decaf, perhaps prompted by bad experiences with weak and tasteless brew, because it is true that the actual process of removing caffeine from coffee can degrade the taste beyond repair.

Early decaffeination attempts involved soaking the green beans in water and then using various solvents to separate the caffeine in the resulting water solution. The beans were then re-introduced to the caffeine-free solution in order to absorb some of the flavor they had lost. Solvents used included benzene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene, all of which were later found to have toxic effects. In the 1970s, dichloromethane came into use to replace the earlier solvents before it too was deemed possibly carcinogenic.

In response to these concerns about solvents, some coffee companies began to run the water solution through charcoal filters as a means of removing the caffeine. The so-called Swiss Water Process, developed in Switzerland in the 1930s, goes one step further. After a batch of coffee beans has been steeped in hot water, that water is filtered, and then is used to soak the next batch of beans to be processed. In this way, the beans lose caffeine as they soak, but lose less of their flavor.

Yet another method that aims to safely remove caffeine from coffee beans involves a fascinating compound procedure. The solvent used in this method is neither water nor one of the earlier toxic solvents. Instead, caffeine in the coffee beans is dissolved by means of carbon dioxide. In order to accomplish this, the carbon dioxide must become a supercritical fluid, created when it is compressed and heated to the point that it has the same density in liquid and gaseous forms.

As this supercritical CO2 is passed through the beans, it can penetrate them because of its gaseous properties, and yet is able to dissolve the caffeine they contain because of its liquid properties.

In 2004, Brazilian scientists identified a new strain of coffee beans with a naturally low level of caffeine. They found three coffee plants from Ethiopia that contain almost no caffeine as they seem lack an enzyme necessary to caffeine production. If these plants can be crossed with commercial strains of coffee plants, we may one day see more coffee on the market that is naturally low in caffeine.

With these advances, and the current methods of decaffeination, decaf junkies are sure to be able to get their fix of coffee that not only tastes great, but won’t keep them up half the night.

As for me, I do want to stay up half the night, so I’ll stick to my full-strength brew.

15. The Swiss Water Process is described as …

1) a cheaper method of decaffeination.

2) a way to avoid using charcoal.

3) a method to save coffee’s flavour.

4) the easiest method of decaffeination.