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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

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.

16. The pronoun “its” in “… its liquid properties” (paragraph 6) refers to …

1) caffeine.

2) carbon dioxide.

3) coffee.

4) coffee bean.

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.

17. It can be implied that at present the beans from low-caffeine plants …

1) cannot be used for big-scale sales.

2) taste poorly.

3) are very vulnerable.

4) lack necessary properties.

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.

18. Even though decaffeinated coffee has been improved, the author …

1) is for the ban of decaffeination.

2) believes that it’s bad for health.

3) still prefers the regular one.

4) doesn’t like 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

How Harry Potter saved one small town

Mallaig is far from the prettiest of Highland settlements, even when the weather is fine. Several rows of what could be prewar council houses stretch across the hill beyond the harbour. A mishmash of car parks, jetties and workaday buildings squats close to the railway terminus. When I last stayed in Mallaig, it was known as the biggest herring port in Europe.

Today, the herring have vanished, and yet Mallaig remains a busy place. Ferries come and go and fishing boats land shellfish, which is driven away in lorries to the markets of France and Spain. None of this activity, however, explains the hundreds of people who can be seen roaming Mallaig’s few streets every afternoon between the beginning of May and the end of October, or the presence of so many restaurants. What do explain them are two enthusiasms, one for low fact and the other for high fiction, which are kindled in childhood and among many adults never entirely disappear.

The railway reached Mallaig from Fort William and the south in 1901. It was among the last big lines to be built in Britain, late enough to have its viaducts built of concrete. It traversed one of Europe’s most spectacular and emptiest landscapes, with hardly anything large enough to be called a village along its 40-mile length.

The construction needed a large government subsidy, but the traffic never grew much beyond the two or three trains a day that carried fish boxes and a few dozen travellers to and from the Hebrides. It made little economic sense. Only 60 years after the line opened, it began to be threatened with closure. Few people would have guessed then that its commercial salvation would be owed to a novel and a film, and first of all, to a hobby.

Railways became an amateur pastime as well as a means of transport during the last decades of the 19th century. Then professional men such as vicars and lawyers began to see the large variety of trains and their technical progress as a hobby offering a similar kind of pleasure to philately and butterfly-hunting. By the end of the century they had their own magazine and their own club, the Railway Club, the world’s first society for railway enthusiasts. It was founded in London in 1899 and had its own premises with a library and leather armchairs. It was from these elite beginnings that the 20th century’s great cult of trainspotting spread, reinforcing a more general fondness for steam locomotives that many people had without knowing quite why. So a sense of loss ran through Britain when, in the 1960s, it became clear that their day was nearly done.

Hundreds of them were saved from the scrapyards and restored to working order; dozens of branch lines repaired and reopened so that in the holidays Britain could be charmed by how it once was. It’s hard to think that anywhere in the world has seen a more popular or successful preservation movement, or at least one run and largely funded by volunteers. Out of this business grew the West Coast Railway Company, which hires out engines, coaches and crew for steam excursions.

A film producer looking to shoot a fantastical train in a dramatic location would naturally turn to such a company, and so in three Harry Potter films the train to Hogwarts is seen crossing Glenfinnan’s viaduct.

Today, the Jacobite Express fills with Potter fans from all parts of the globe and always stops for a photo opportunity at Glenfinnan, which is where the real Bonnie Prince Charlie really raised his standard in '45 and marked as such by a real memorial. All of which reality is cast into shadow by the film of a modern fairytale.

12. Which adjective could best describe Mallaig as presented by the author?

1) Derelict.

2) Beautiful.

3) Abandoned.

4) Unsightly.

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

How Harry Potter saved one small town

Mallaig is far from the prettiest of Highland settlements, even when the weather is fine. Several rows of what could be prewar council houses stretch across the hill beyond the harbour. A mishmash of car parks, jetties and workaday buildings squats close to the railway terminus. When I last stayed in Mallaig, it was known as the biggest herring port in Europe.

Today, the herring have vanished, and yet Mallaig remains a busy place. Ferries come and go and fishing boats land shellfish, which is driven away in lorries to the markets of France and Spain. None of this activity, however, explains the hundreds of people who can be seen roaming Mallaig’s few streets every afternoon between the beginning of May and the end of October, or the presence of so many restaurants. What do explain them are two enthusiasms, one for low fact and the other for high fiction, which are kindled in childhood and among many adults never entirely disappear.

The railway reached Mallaig from Fort William and the south in 1901. It was among the last big lines to be built in Britain, late enough to have its viaducts built of concrete. It traversed one of Europe’s most spectacular and emptiest landscapes, with hardly anything large enough to be called a village along its 40-mile length.

The construction needed a large government subsidy, but the traffic never grew much beyond the two or three trains a day that carried fish boxes and a few dozen travellers to and from the Hebrides. It made little economic sense. Only 60 years after the line opened, it began to be threatened with closure. Few people would have guessed then that its commercial salvation would be owed to a novel and a film, and first of all, to a hobby.

Railways became an amateur pastime as well as a means of transport during the last decades of the 19th century. Then professional men such as vicars and lawyers began to see the large variety of trains and their technical progress as a hobby offering a similar kind of pleasure to philately and butterfly-hunting. By the end of the century they had their own magazine and their own club, the Railway Club, the world’s first society for railway enthusiasts. It was founded in London in 1899 and had its own premises with a library and leather armchairs. It was from these elite beginnings that the 20th century’s great cult of trainspotting spread, reinforcing a more general fondness for steam locomotives that many people had without knowing quite why. So a sense of loss ran through Britain when, in the 1960s, it became clear that their day was nearly done.

Hundreds of them were saved from the scrapyards and restored to working order; dozens of branch lines repaired and reopened so that in the holidays Britain could be charmed by how it once was. It’s hard to think that anywhere in the world has seen a more popular or successful preservation movement, or at least one run and largely funded by volunteers. Out of this business grew the West Coast Railway Company, which hires out engines, coaches and crew for steam excursions.

A film producer looking to shoot a fantastical train in a dramatic location would naturally turn to such a company, and so in three Harry Potter films the train to Hogwarts is seen crossing Glenfinnan’s viaduct.

Today, the Jacobite Express fills with Potter fans from all parts of the globe and always stops for a photo opportunity at Glenfinnan, which is where the real Bonnie Prince Charlie really raised his standard in '45 and marked as such by a real memorial. All of which reality is cast into shadow by the film of a modern fairytale.

13. The word mishmash in “A mishmash of car parks …” (paragraph 1) means …

1) a ruin.

2) a mixture.

3) a sight.

4) a queue.

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

How Harry Potter saved one small town

Mallaig is far from the prettiest of Highland settlements, even when the weather is fine. Several rows of what could be prewar council houses stretch across the hill beyond the harbour. A mishmash of car parks, jetties and workaday buildings squats close to the railway terminus. When I last stayed in Mallaig, it was known as the biggest herring port in Europe.

Today, the herring have vanished, and yet Mallaig remains a busy place. Ferries come and go and fishing boats land shellfish, which is driven away in lorries to the markets of France and Spain. None of this activity, however, explains the hundreds of people who can be seen roaming Mallaig’s few streets every afternoon between the beginning of May and the end of October, or the presence of so many restaurants. What do explain them are two enthusiasms, one for low fact and the other for high fiction, which are kindled in childhood and among many adults never entirely disappear.

The railway reached Mallaig from Fort William and the south in 1901. It was among the last big lines to be built in Britain, late enough to have its viaducts built of concrete. It traversed one of Europe’s most spectacular and emptiest landscapes, with hardly anything large enough to be called a village along its 40-mile length.

The construction needed a large government subsidy, but the traffic never grew much beyond the two or three trains a day that carried fish boxes and a few dozen travellers to and from the Hebrides. It made little economic sense. Only 60 years after the line opened, it began to be threatened with closure. Few people would have guessed then that its commercial salvation would be owed to a novel and a film, and first of all, to a hobby.

Railways became an amateur pastime as well as a means of transport during the last decades of the 19th century. Then professional men such as vicars and lawyers began to see the large variety of trains and their technical progress as a hobby offering a similar kind of pleasure to philately and butterfly-hunting. By the end of the century they had their own magazine and their own club, the Railway Club, the world’s first society for railway enthusiasts. It was founded in London in 1899 and had its own premises with a library and leather armchairs. It was from these elite beginnings that the 20th century’s great cult of trainspotting spread, reinforcing a more general fondness for steam locomotives that many people had without knowing quite why. So a sense of loss ran through Britain when, in the 1960s, it became clear that their day was nearly done.

Hundreds of them were saved from the scrapyards and restored to working order; dozens of branch lines repaired and reopened so that in the holidays Britain could be charmed by how it once was. It’s hard to think that anywhere in the world has seen a more popular or successful preservation movement, or at least one run and largely funded by volunteers. Out of this business grew the West Coast Railway Company, which hires out engines, coaches and crew for steam excursions.

A film producer looking to shoot a fantastical train in a dramatic location would naturally turn to such a company, and so in three Harry Potter films the train to Hogwarts is seen crossing Glenfinnan’s viaduct.

Today, the Jacobite Express fills with Potter fans from all parts of the globe and always stops for a photo opportunity at Glenfinnan, which is where the real Bonnie Prince Charlie really raised his standard in '45 and marked as such by a real memorial. All of which reality is cast into shadow by the film of a modern fairytale.

14. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the railway line?

1) It was the last big line constructed in Europe.

2) The traffic on it was busy at the beginning.

3) It finally became profitable.

4) It was closed shortly after its opening.

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

How Harry Potter saved one small town

Mallaig is far from the prettiest of Highland settlements, even when the weather is fine. Several rows of what could be prewar council houses stretch across the hill beyond the harbour. A mishmash of car parks, jetties and workaday buildings squats close to the railway terminus. When I last stayed in Mallaig, it was known as the biggest herring port in Europe.

Today, the herring have vanished, and yet Mallaig remains a busy place. Ferries come and go and fishing boats land shellfish, which is driven away in lorries to the markets of France and Spain. None of this activity, however, explains the hundreds of people who can be seen roaming Mallaig’s few streets every afternoon between the beginning of May and the end of October, or the presence of so many restaurants. What do explain them are two enthusiasms, one for low fact and the other for high fiction, which are kindled in childhood and among many adults never entirely disappear.

The railway reached Mallaig from Fort William and the south in 1901. It was among the last big lines to be built in Britain, late enough to have its viaducts built of concrete. It traversed one of Europe’s most spectacular and emptiest landscapes, with hardly anything large enough to be called a village along its 40-mile length.

The construction needed a large government subsidy, but the traffic never grew much beyond the two or three trains a day that carried fish boxes and a few dozen travellers to and from the Hebrides. It made little economic sense. Only 60 years after the line opened, it began to be threatened with closure. Few people would have guessed then that its commercial salvation would be owed to a novel and a film, and first of all, to a hobby.

Railways became an amateur pastime as well as a means of transport during the last decades of the 19th century. Then professional men such as vicars and lawyers began to see the large variety of trains and their technical progress as a hobby offering a similar kind of pleasure to philately and butterfly-hunting. By the end of the century they had their own magazine and their own club, the Railway Club, the world’s first society for railway enthusiasts. It was founded in London in 1899 and had its own premises with a library and leather armchairs. It was from these elite beginnings that the 20th century’s great cult of trainspotting spread, reinforcing a more general fondness for steam locomotives that many people had without knowing quite why. So a sense of loss ran through Britain when, in the 1960s, it became clear that their day was nearly done.

Hundreds of them were saved from the scrapyards and restored to working order; dozens of branch lines repaired and reopened so that in the holidays Britain could be charmed by how it once was. It’s hard to think that anywhere in the world has seen a more popular or successful preservation movement, or at least one run and largely funded by volunteers. Out of this business grew the West Coast Railway Company, which hires out engines, coaches and crew for steam excursions.

A film producer looking to shoot a fantastical train in a dramatic location would naturally turn to such a company, and so in three Harry Potter films the train to Hogwarts is seen crossing Glenfinnan’s viaduct.

Today, the Jacobite Express fills with Potter fans from all parts of the globe and always stops for a photo opportunity at Glenfinnan, which is where the real Bonnie Prince Charlie really raised his standard in '45 and marked as such by a real memorial. All of which reality is cast into shadow by the film of a modern fairytale.

15. The author compares the enthusiasm for trains to philately and butterfly hunting because …

1) it turned into a pastime.

2) they all require patience.

3) they all became unpopular.

4) they all are fashionable.

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

How Harry Potter saved one small town

Mallaig is far from the prettiest of Highland settlements, even when the weather is fine. Several rows of what could be prewar council houses stretch across the hill beyond the harbour. A mishmash of car parks, jetties and workaday buildings squats close to the railway terminus. When I last stayed in Mallaig, it was known as the biggest herring port in Europe.

Today, the herring have vanished, and yet Mallaig remains a busy place. Ferries come and go and fishing boats land shellfish, which is driven away in lorries to the markets of France and Spain. None of this activity, however, explains the hundreds of people who can be seen roaming Mallaig’s few streets every afternoon between the beginning of May and the end of October, or the presence of so many restaurants. What do explain them are two enthusiasms, one for low fact and the other for high fiction, which are kindled in childhood and among many adults never entirely disappear.

The railway reached Mallaig from Fort William and the south in 1901. It was among the last big lines to be built in Britain, late enough to have its viaducts built of concrete. It traversed one of Europe’s most spectacular and emptiest landscapes, with hardly anything large enough to be called a village along its 40-mile length.

The construction needed a large government subsidy, but the traffic never grew much beyond the two or three trains a day that carried fish boxes and a few dozen travellers to and from the Hebrides. It made little economic sense. Only 60 years after the line opened, it began to be threatened with closure. Few people would have guessed then that its commercial salvation would be owed to a novel and a film, and first of all, to a hobby.

Railways became an amateur pastime as well as a means of transport during the last decades of the 19th century. Then professional men such as vicars and lawyers began to see the large variety of trains and their technical progress as a hobby offering a similar kind of pleasure to philately and butterfly-hunting. By the end of the century they had their own magazine and their own club, the Railway Club, the world’s first society for railway enthusiasts. It was founded in London in 1899 and had its own premises with a library and leather armchairs. It was from these elite beginnings that the 20th century’s great cult of trainspotting spread, reinforcing a more general fondness for steam locomotives that many people had without knowing quite why. So a sense of loss ran through Britain when, in the 1960s, it became clear that their day was nearly done.

Hundreds of them were saved from the scrapyards and restored to working order; dozens of branch lines repaired and reopened so that in the holidays Britain could be charmed by how it once was. It’s hard to think that anywhere in the world has seen a more popular or successful preservation movement, or at least one run and largely funded by volunteers. Out of this business grew the West Coast Railway Company, which hires out engines, coaches and crew for steam excursions.

A film producer looking to shoot a fantastical train in a dramatic location would naturally turn to such a company, and so in three Harry Potter films the train to Hogwarts is seen crossing Glenfinnan’s viaduct.

Today, the Jacobite Express fills with Potter fans from all parts of the globe and always stops for a photo opportunity at Glenfinnan, which is where the real Bonnie Prince Charlie really raised his standard in '45 and marked as such by a real memorial. All of which reality is cast into shadow by the film of a modern fairytale.

16. The author mentions a library and leather armchairs in order to illustrate …

1) how important trains were for the country.

2) how successful the Railway Club became.

3) the amount of corruption at the club.

4) the number of members it had.

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

How Harry Potter saved one small town

Mallaig is far from the prettiest of Highland settlements, even when the weather is fine. Several rows of what could be prewar council houses stretch across the hill beyond the harbour. A mishmash of car parks, jetties and workaday buildings squats close to the railway terminus. When I last stayed in Mallaig, it was known as the biggest herring port in Europe.

Today, the herring have vanished, and yet Mallaig remains a busy place. Ferries come and go and fishing boats land shellfish, which is driven away in lorries to the markets of France and Spain. None of this activity, however, explains the hundreds of people who can be seen roaming Mallaig’s few streets every afternoon between the beginning of May and the end of October, or the presence of so many restaurants. What do explain them are two enthusiasms, one for low fact and the other for high fiction, which are kindled in childhood and among many adults never entirely disappear.

The railway reached Mallaig from Fort William and the south in 1901. It was among the last big lines to be built in Britain, late enough to have its viaducts built of concrete. It traversed one of Europe’s most spectacular and emptiest landscapes, with hardly anything large enough to be called a village along its 40-mile length.

The construction needed a large government subsidy, but the traffic never grew much beyond the two or three trains a day that carried fish boxes and a few dozen travellers to and from the Hebrides. It made little economic sense. Only 60 years after the line opened, it began to be threatened with closure. Few people would have guessed then that its commercial salvation would be owed to a novel and a film, and first of all, to a hobby.

Railways became an amateur pastime as well as a means of transport during the last decades of the 19th century. Then professional men such as vicars and lawyers began to see the large variety of trains and their technical progress as a hobby offering a similar kind of pleasure to philately and butterfly-hunting. By the end of the century they had their own magazine and their own club, the Railway Club, the world’s first society for railway enthusiasts. It was founded in London in 1899 and had its own premises with a library and leather armchairs. It was from these elite beginnings that the 20th century’s great cult of trainspotting spread, reinforcing a more general fondness for steam locomotives that many people had without knowing quite why. So a sense of loss ran through Britain when, in the 1960s, it became clear that their day was nearly done.

Hundreds of them were saved from the scrapyards and restored to working order; dozens of branch lines repaired and reopened so that in the holidays Britain could be charmed by how it once was. It’s hard to think that anywhere in the world has seen a more popular or successful preservation movement, or at least one run and largely funded by volunteers. Out of this business grew the West Coast Railway Company, which hires out engines, coaches and crew for steam excursions.

A film producer looking to shoot a fantastical train in a dramatic location would naturally turn to such a company, and so in three Harry Potter films the train to Hogwarts is seen crossing Glenfinnan’s viaduct.

Today, the Jacobite Express fills with Potter fans from all parts of the globe and always stops for a photo opportunity at Glenfinnan, which is where the real Bonnie Prince Charlie really raised his standard in '45 and marked as such by a real memorial. All of which reality is cast into shadow by the film of a modern fairytale.

17. The word them in “hundreds of them …” (paragraph 6) refers to …

1) people.

2) locomotives.

3) train spotters.

4) lines.

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

How Harry Potter saved one small town

Mallaig is far from the prettiest of Highland settlements, even when the weather is fine. Several rows of what could be prewar council houses stretch across the hill beyond the harbour. A mishmash of car parks, jetties and workaday buildings squats close to the railway terminus. When I last stayed in Mallaig, it was known as the biggest herring port in Europe.

Today, the herring have vanished, and yet Mallaig remains a busy place. Ferries come and go and fishing boats land shellfish, which is driven away in lorries to the markets of France and Spain. None of this activity, however, explains the hundreds of people who can be seen roaming Mallaig’s few streets every afternoon between the beginning of May and the end of October, or the presence of so many restaurants. What do explain them are two enthusiasms, one for low fact and the other for high fiction, which are kindled in childhood and among many adults never entirely disappear.

The railway reached Mallaig from Fort William and the south in 1901. It was among the last big lines to be built in Britain, late enough to have its viaducts built of concrete. It traversed one of Europe’s most spectacular and emptiest landscapes, with hardly anything large enough to be called a village along its 40-mile length.

The construction needed a large government subsidy, but the traffic never grew much beyond the two or three trains a day that carried fish boxes and a few dozen travellers to and from the Hebrides. It made little economic sense. Only 60 years after the line opened, it began to be threatened with closure. Few people would have guessed then that its commercial salvation would be owed to a novel and a film, and first of all, to a hobby.

Railways became an amateur pastime as well as a means of transport during the last decades of the 19th century. Then professional men such as vicars and lawyers began to see the large variety of trains and their technical progress as a hobby offering a similar kind of pleasure to philately and butterfly-hunting. By the end of the century they had their own magazine and their own club, the Railway Club, the world’s first society for railway enthusiasts. It was founded in London in 1899 and had its own premises with a library and leather armchairs. It was from these elite beginnings that the 20th century’s great cult of trainspotting spread, reinforcing a more general fondness for steam locomotives that many people had without knowing quite why. So a sense of loss ran through Britain when, in the 1960s, it became clear that their day was nearly done.

Hundreds of them were saved from the scrapyards and restored to working order; dozens of branch lines repaired and reopened so that in the holidays Britain could be charmed by how it once was. It’s hard to think that anywhere in the world has seen a more popular or successful preservation movement, or at least one run and largely funded by volunteers. Out of this business grew the West Coast Railway Company, which hires out engines, coaches and crew for steam excursions.

A film producer looking to shoot a fantastical train in a dramatic location would naturally turn to such a company, and so in three Harry Potter films the train to Hogwarts is seen crossing Glenfinnan’s viaduct.

Today, the Jacobite Express fills with Potter fans from all parts of the globe and always stops for a photo opportunity at Glenfinnan, which is where the real Bonnie Prince Charlie really raised his standard in '45 and marked as such by a real memorial. All of which reality is cast into shadow by the film of a modern fairytale.

18. How does, judging by the last paragraph, the author feel about Glenfinnan remembered through Harry Potter rather than the Bonnie Prince Charlie?

1) Enthusiastic.

2) Indifferent.

3) Sad.

4) Outraged.

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

Online learning

Online courses are widely used in college –– providing easy access to course materials, classroom discussions, and feedback to instructors. The course materials and activities may be accessed from any computer, whether it is from
the University, or from the comfort of your own home. I have taken two online courses and benefited from those classes. There are a few reasons why I am drawn to an online education course as opposed to taking courses in a traditional classroom setting. First of all, I have a full-time job, which limits my opportunities to attend classes scheduled during normal school hours. Also, online classes allow me to work on my own and move at my own pace. Finally, these classes offer more of a one-on-one teacher-student relationship, rather than teachers having
to spread their focus among thirty other students.

Having a full-time job makes it very difficult to schedule your classes.
The hours I have scheduled at my job are in conflict with the times that most classes are offered. The use of online courses has made life at work easier. When
a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. This person can always take an online course to deal with the time constraints that a job will put on them.
The use of online courses allows you to cover the material needed in school while maintaining your workload.

I have learned that to be a successful distance learner, you have to be self-disciplined and able to work well on your own. Since you will not be physically going to class each week, you can take part in class from the comfort of your own home. However, the instructor is not constantly there to remind you of assignments or of project deadlines. Other obligations include keeping up with all the work for the course.

When I took my first online course, I just thought that the work for
the course could be put off until I had time to do it. In doing this, I got very far behind. It took me quite a while to catch back up with the assignments, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen again. Students who procrastinate about their assignments usually wind up withdrawing from the course late in the semester. Students should leave time in their schedule to complete their online courses successfully. Although online classes are more convenient than traditional college classes, they should be looked at as typical college classes and not be taken lightly.

Being able to communicate with instructors and other students has made me be a more active participant during the courses. With the two online courses I have taken, I never felt it was difficult to communicate with my instructors in order to ask for help or clarification of an assignment. The instructors and the students taking these classes have been very helpful to me. The online courses offer
a discussion board to send posts to your fellow students. You get a chance to read and critique each other’s work and respond to the comments of your classmates.
I have learned that by discussing each other’s ideas, we are in turn challenging each other to examine our own thoughts and feelings. Thus we get a chance
to share personal experiences during the discussion while improving our writing style.

Any student who is interested in taking an online course should do research on the class and speak with the instructor before enrolling, in order to make sure they are up for the challenge. Online courses are a great alternative for the student who holds a full-time job. They are not only convenient, but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.

12. Which reason to prefer online courses to traditional college classes is NOT mentioned in Paragraph 1?

1) Individual attention.

2) Accessibility of course materials.

3) Financial benefits.

4) Flexibility of schedule.

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

Online learning

Online courses are widely used in college –– providing easy access to course materials, classroom discussions, and feedback to instructors. The course materials and activities may be accessed from any computer, whether it is from
the University, or from the comfort of your own home. I have taken two online courses and benefited from those classes. There are a few reasons why I am drawn to an online education course as opposed to taking courses in a traditional classroom setting. First of all, I have a full-time job, which limits my opportunities to attend classes scheduled during normal school hours. Also, online classes allow me to work on my own and move at my own pace. Finally, these classes offer more of a one-on-one teacher-student relationship, rather than teachers having
to spread their focus among thirty other students.

Having a full-time job makes it very difficult to schedule your classes.
The hours I have scheduled at my job are in conflict with the times that most classes are offered. The use of online courses has made life at work easier. When
a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. This person can always take an online course to deal with the time constraints that a job will put on them.
The use of online courses allows you to cover the material needed in school while maintaining your workload.

I have learned that to be a successful distance learner, you have to be self-disciplined and able to work well on your own. Since you will not be physically going to class each week, you can take part in class from the comfort of your own home. However, the instructor is not constantly there to remind you of assignments or of project deadlines. Other obligations include keeping up with all the work for the course.

When I took my first online course, I just thought that the work for
the course could be put off until I had time to do it. In doing this, I got very far behind. It took me quite a while to catch back up with the assignments, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen again. Students who procrastinate about their assignments usually wind up withdrawing from the course late in the semester. Students should leave time in their schedule to complete their online courses successfully. Although online classes are more convenient than traditional college classes, they should be looked at as typical college classes and not be taken lightly.

Being able to communicate with instructors and other students has made me be a more active participant during the courses. With the two online courses I have taken, I never felt it was difficult to communicate with my instructors in order to ask for help or clarification of an assignment. The instructors and the students taking these classes have been very helpful to me. The online courses offer
a discussion board to send posts to your fellow students. You get a chance to read and critique each other’s work and respond to the comments of your classmates.
I have learned that by discussing each other’s ideas, we are in turn challenging each other to examine our own thoughts and feelings. Thus we get a chance
to share personal experiences during the discussion while improving our writing style.

Any student who is interested in taking an online course should do research on the class and speak with the instructor before enrolling, in order to make sure they are up for the challenge. Online courses are a great alternative for the student who holds a full-time job. They are not only convenient, but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.

13. Juggle in Paragraph 2 ("… to successfully juggle their job responsibilities …") most probably means …

1) manage.

2) ignore.

3) enjoy.

4) shift.

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

Online learning

Online courses are widely used in college –– providing easy access to course materials, classroom discussions, and feedback to instructors. The course materials and activities may be accessed from any computer, whether it is from
the University, or from the comfort of your own home. I have taken two online courses and benefited from those classes. There are a few reasons why I am drawn to an online education course as opposed to taking courses in a traditional classroom setting. First of all, I have a full-time job, which limits my opportunities to attend classes scheduled during normal school hours. Also, online classes allow me to work on my own and move at my own pace. Finally, these classes offer more of a one-on-one teacher-student relationship, rather than teachers having
to spread their focus among thirty other students.

Having a full-time job makes it very difficult to schedule your classes.
The hours I have scheduled at my job are in conflict with the times that most classes are offered. The use of online courses has made life at work easier. When
a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. This person can always take an online course to deal with the time constraints that a job will put on them.
The use of online courses allows you to cover the material needed in school while maintaining your workload.

I have learned that to be a successful distance learner, you have to be self-disciplined and able to work well on your own. Since you will not be physically going to class each week, you can take part in class from the comfort of your own home. However, the instructor is not constantly there to remind you of assignments or of project deadlines. Other obligations include keeping up with all the work for the course.

When I took my first online course, I just thought that the work for
the course could be put off until I had time to do it. In doing this, I got very far behind. It took me quite a while to catch back up with the assignments, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen again. Students who procrastinate about their assignments usually wind up withdrawing from the course late in the semester. Students should leave time in their schedule to complete their online courses successfully. Although online classes are more convenient than traditional college classes, they should be looked at as typical college classes and not be taken lightly.

Being able to communicate with instructors and other students has made me be a more active participant during the courses. With the two online courses I have taken, I never felt it was difficult to communicate with my instructors in order to ask for help or clarification of an assignment. The instructors and the students taking these classes have been very helpful to me. The online courses offer
a discussion board to send posts to your fellow students. You get a chance to read and critique each other’s work and respond to the comments of your classmates.
I have learned that by discussing each other’s ideas, we are in turn challenging each other to examine our own thoughts and feelings. Thus we get a chance
to share personal experiences during the discussion while improving our writing style.

Any student who is interested in taking an online course should do research on the class and speak with the instructor before enrolling, in order to make sure they are up for the challenge. Online courses are a great alternative for the student who holds a full-time job. They are not only convenient, but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.

14. Self-discipline is necessary because …

1) you do not attend offline classes.

2) you are not guided all the time.

3) you have numerous tasks to complete.

4) you are pressed for time.

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

Online learning

Online courses are widely used in college –– providing easy access to course materials, classroom discussions, and feedback to instructors. The course materials and activities may be accessed from any computer, whether it is from
the University, or from the comfort of your own home. I have taken two online courses and benefited from those classes. There are a few reasons why I am drawn to an online education course as opposed to taking courses in a traditional classroom setting. First of all, I have a full-time job, which limits my opportunities to attend classes scheduled during normal school hours. Also, online classes allow me to work on my own and move at my own pace. Finally, these classes offer more of a one-on-one teacher-student relationship, rather than teachers having
to spread their focus among thirty other students.

Having a full-time job makes it very difficult to schedule your classes.
The hours I have scheduled at my job are in conflict with the times that most classes are offered. The use of online courses has made life at work easier. When
a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. This person can always take an online course to deal with the time constraints that a job will put on them.
The use of online courses allows you to cover the material needed in school while maintaining your workload.

I have learned that to be a successful distance learner, you have to be self-disciplined and able to work well on your own. Since you will not be physically going to class each week, you can take part in class from the comfort of your own home. However, the instructor is not constantly there to remind you of assignments or of project deadlines. Other obligations include keeping up with all the work for the course.

When I took my first online course, I just thought that the work for
the course could be put off until I had time to do it. In doing this, I got very far behind. It took me quite a while to catch back up with the assignments, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen again. Students who procrastinate about their assignments usually wind up withdrawing from the course late in the semester. Students should leave time in their schedule to complete their online courses successfully. Although online classes are more convenient than traditional college classes, they should be looked at as typical college classes and not be taken lightly.

Being able to communicate with instructors and other students has made me be a more active participant during the courses. With the two online courses I have taken, I never felt it was difficult to communicate with my instructors in order to ask for help or clarification of an assignment. The instructors and the students taking these classes have been very helpful to me. The online courses offer
a discussion board to send posts to your fellow students. You get a chance to read and critique each other’s work and respond to the comments of your classmates.
I have learned that by discussing each other’s ideas, we are in turn challenging each other to examine our own thoughts and feelings. Thus we get a chance
to share personal experiences during the discussion while improving our writing style.

Any student who is interested in taking an online course should do research on the class and speak with the instructor before enrolling, in order to make sure they are up for the challenge. Online courses are a great alternative for the student who holds a full-time job. They are not only convenient, but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.

15. That in Paragraph 4 ("… I would never let that happen again …") refers to …

1) completing many tasks in a short period of time.

2) postponing the completion of assignments.

3) taking a demanding online course.

4) being expelled from an online course.

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

Online learning

Online courses are widely used in college –– providing easy access to course materials, classroom discussions, and feedback to instructors. The course materials and activities may be accessed from any computer, whether it is from
the University, or from the comfort of your own home. I have taken two online courses and benefited from those classes. There are a few reasons why I am drawn to an online education course as opposed to taking courses in a traditional classroom setting. First of all, I have a full-time job, which limits my opportunities to attend classes scheduled during normal school hours. Also, online classes allow me to work on my own and move at my own pace. Finally, these classes offer more of a one-on-one teacher-student relationship, rather than teachers having
to spread their focus among thirty other students.

Having a full-time job makes it very difficult to schedule your classes.
The hours I have scheduled at my job are in conflict with the times that most classes are offered. The use of online courses has made life at work easier. When
a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. This person can always take an online course to deal with the time constraints that a job will put on them.
The use of online courses allows you to cover the material needed in school while maintaining your workload.

I have learned that to be a successful distance learner, you have to be self-disciplined and able to work well on your own. Since you will not be physically going to class each week, you can take part in class from the comfort of your own home. However, the instructor is not constantly there to remind you of assignments or of project deadlines. Other obligations include keeping up with all the work for the course.

When I took my first online course, I just thought that the work for
the course could be put off until I had time to do it. In doing this, I got very far behind. It took me quite a while to catch back up with the assignments, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen again. Students who procrastinate about their assignments usually wind up withdrawing from the course late in the semester. Students should leave time in their schedule to complete their online courses successfully. Although online classes are more convenient than traditional college classes, they should be looked at as typical college classes and not be taken lightly.

Being able to communicate with instructors and other students has made me be a more active participant during the courses. With the two online courses I have taken, I never felt it was difficult to communicate with my instructors in order to ask for help or clarification of an assignment. The instructors and the students taking these classes have been very helpful to me. The online courses offer
a discussion board to send posts to your fellow students. You get a chance to read and critique each other’s work and respond to the comments of your classmates.
I have learned that by discussing each other’s ideas, we are in turn challenging each other to examine our own thoughts and feelings. Thus we get a chance
to share personal experiences during the discussion while improving our writing style.

Any student who is interested in taking an online course should do research on the class and speak with the instructor before enrolling, in order to make sure they are up for the challenge. Online courses are a great alternative for the student who holds a full-time job. They are not only convenient, but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.

16. Which statement about the author’s online learning experience is FALSE?

1) Some students and instructors were uncooperative.

2) Once he barely managed to complete tasks on time.

3) Online courses made him more organised.

4) He kept contact with the instructor and other students.

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

Online learning

Online courses are widely used in college –– providing easy access to course materials, classroom discussions, and feedback to instructors. The course materials and activities may be accessed from any computer, whether it is from
the University, or from the comfort of your own home. I have taken two online courses and benefited from those classes. There are a few reasons why I am drawn to an online education course as opposed to taking courses in a traditional classroom setting. First of all, I have a full-time job, which limits my opportunities to attend classes scheduled during normal school hours. Also, online classes allow me to work on my own and move at my own pace. Finally, these classes offer more of a one-on-one teacher-student relationship, rather than teachers having
to spread their focus among thirty other students.

Having a full-time job makes it very difficult to schedule your classes.
The hours I have scheduled at my job are in conflict with the times that most classes are offered. The use of online courses has made life at work easier. When
a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. This person can always take an online course to deal with the time constraints that a job will put on them.
The use of online courses allows you to cover the material needed in school while maintaining your workload.

I have learned that to be a successful distance learner, you have to be self-disciplined and able to work well on your own. Since you will not be physically going to class each week, you can take part in class from the comfort of your own home. However, the instructor is not constantly there to remind you of assignments or of project deadlines. Other obligations include keeping up with all the work for the course.

When I took my first online course, I just thought that the work for
the course could be put off until I had time to do it. In doing this, I got very far behind. It took me quite a while to catch back up with the assignments, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen again. Students who procrastinate about their assignments usually wind up withdrawing from the course late in the semester. Students should leave time in their schedule to complete their online courses successfully. Although online classes are more convenient than traditional college classes, they should be looked at as typical college classes and not be taken lightly.

Being able to communicate with instructors and other students has made me be a more active participant during the courses. With the two online courses I have taken, I never felt it was difficult to communicate with my instructors in order to ask for help or clarification of an assignment. The instructors and the students taking these classes have been very helpful to me. The online courses offer
a discussion board to send posts to your fellow students. You get a chance to read and critique each other’s work and respond to the comments of your classmates.
I have learned that by discussing each other’s ideas, we are in turn challenging each other to examine our own thoughts and feelings. Thus we get a chance
to share personal experiences during the discussion while improving our writing style.

Any student who is interested in taking an online course should do research on the class and speak with the instructor before enrolling, in order to make sure they are up for the challenge. Online courses are a great alternative for the student who holds a full-time job. They are not only convenient, but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.

17. What is the main benefit of online group discussions?

1) Criticism of peers’ works.

2) Development of writing skills.

3) Exchange of perspectives.

4) Learning new information.

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

Online learning

Online courses are widely used in college –– providing easy access to course materials, classroom discussions, and feedback to instructors. The course materials and activities may be accessed from any computer, whether it is from
the University, or from the comfort of your own home. I have taken two online courses and benefited from those classes. There are a few reasons why I am drawn to an online education course as opposed to taking courses in a traditional classroom setting. First of all, I have a full-time job, which limits my opportunities to attend classes scheduled during normal school hours. Also, online classes allow me to work on my own and move at my own pace. Finally, these classes offer more of a one-on-one teacher-student relationship, rather than teachers having
to spread their focus among thirty other students.

Having a full-time job makes it very difficult to schedule your classes.
The hours I have scheduled at my job are in conflict with the times that most classes are offered. The use of online courses has made life at work easier. When
a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. This person can always take an online course to deal with the time constraints that a job will put on them.
The use of online courses allows you to cover the material needed in school while maintaining your workload.

I have learned that to be a successful distance learner, you have to be self-disciplined and able to work well on your own. Since you will not be physically going to class each week, you can take part in class from the comfort of your own home. However, the instructor is not constantly there to remind you of assignments or of project deadlines. Other obligations include keeping up with all the work for the course.

When I took my first online course, I just thought that the work for
the course could be put off until I had time to do it. In doing this, I got very far behind. It took me quite a while to catch back up with the assignments, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen again. Students who procrastinate about their assignments usually wind up withdrawing from the course late in the semester. Students should leave time in their schedule to complete their online courses successfully. Although online classes are more convenient than traditional college classes, they should be looked at as typical college classes and not be taken lightly.

Being able to communicate with instructors and other students has made me be a more active participant during the courses. With the two online courses I have taken, I never felt it was difficult to communicate with my instructors in order to ask for help or clarification of an assignment. The instructors and the students taking these classes have been very helpful to me. The online courses offer
a discussion board to send posts to your fellow students. You get a chance to read and critique each other’s work and respond to the comments of your classmates.
I have learned that by discussing each other’s ideas, we are in turn challenging each other to examine our own thoughts and feelings. Thus we get a chance
to share personal experiences during the discussion while improving our writing style.

Any student who is interested in taking an online course should do research on the class and speak with the instructor before enrolling, in order to make sure they are up for the challenge. Online courses are a great alternative for the student who holds a full-time job. They are not only convenient, but they teach you how to become a more disciplined scholar.

18. The author of the text aims to persuade the reader that online learning is …

1) convenient and manageable.

2) better than traditional instruction.

3) only suitable for working professionals.

4) good for reducing stress.

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

Will online education replace classroom education anytime soon?

Over the last decade, the number of people taking online courses and using technology as a tool to enhance their education has increased dramatically. You can now master a foreign language or complete a whole degree without leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can decide not only when you want to learn but also how you want to learn. Meanwhile, the range of technology used inside the classroom has also boomed, with the rise of smartboards, digital textbooks and, most notably, the tools offered on the Internet. But what does this mean for teachers? While many teachers are excited by technology, others are concerned by its rapid development. They wonder whether they themselves could be replaced.

Technology gives us abundant opportunities. In a geography lesson, we can now transport students to explore another country. In an English class, we can take them back in time to experience Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed during his lifetime. Students are able to watch videos at home that explain how to use algebra, or allow them to see first-hand the life cycle of a plant. Technology doesn’t discriminate based on a student’s ability or skill. It provides an opportunity to engage students using a medium that they recognise. Technology is growing not just within our classrooms but also in our everyday lives, so it is natural that we should increasingly incorporate it into classrooms.

Crucially, the use of technology in the classroom doesn’t lessen the need for great teachers. In fact, it is great teachers who make using technology so significant in students’ education. Whilst technology is able to take on a whole host of tasks, it does have its shortcomings. The most prominent drawback is its inability to interact with humans. Technology can facilitate the learning process. However, it cannot replace the role of the teacher. Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives. They do not explain how to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. Without a great teacher, technology merely becomes an automated tool and stops inspiring and engaging students. Ultimately, it isn’t about teachers being replaced by technology but how teachers can adapt to incorporate technology in their lessons.

As much innovation as the iPad may bring to the classroom, it is not going to replace a teacher anytime soon. In fact, the influx of technology like iPads means there is a greater need for teachers. We need teachers who are part early adopter, part integrator, and part mad scientist. The modern teacher must be willing to take chances and able to figure out not just how technology works, but how it works for each student, and where its use is most appropriate.

The question of whether technology will replace teachers is an age-old debate and one that is likely to continue as technology evolves further. In the same way that the calculator didn’t displace maths teachers, technology will continue aiding teachers to educate well-rounded and engaged students. As our Hugo Wernhoff notes, “We’re not only in it to offer flexibility in time and place for students, or lower costs for providers. Our main ambition is instead to deliver better learning.” Technology can only assist in delivering better learning when it is used by a great teacher. Students will always benefit from the guidance and instruction of a teacher at the front of a classroom.

12. According to the text, online education is becoming more popular because of its …

1) teachers.

2) ease.

3) flexibility.

4) cost.

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

Will online education replace classroom education anytime soon?

Over the last decade, the number of people taking online courses and using technology as a tool to enhance their education has increased dramatically. You can now master a foreign language or complete a whole degree without leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can decide not only when you want to learn but also how you want to learn. Meanwhile, the range of technology used inside the classroom has also boomed, with the rise of smartboards, digital textbooks and, most notably, the tools offered on the Internet. But what does this mean for teachers? While many teachers are excited by technology, others are concerned by its rapid development. They wonder whether they themselves could be replaced.

Technology gives us abundant opportunities. In a geography lesson, we can now transport students to explore another country. In an English class, we can take them back in time to experience Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed during his lifetime. Students are able to watch videos at home that explain how to use algebra, or allow them to see first-hand the life cycle of a plant. Technology doesn’t discriminate based on a student’s ability or skill. It provides an opportunity to engage students using a medium that they recognise. Technology is growing not just within our classrooms but also in our everyday lives, so it is natural that we should increasingly incorporate it into classrooms.

Crucially, the use of technology in the classroom doesn’t lessen the need for great teachers. In fact, it is great teachers who make using technology so significant in students’ education. Whilst technology is able to take on a whole host of tasks, it does have its shortcomings. The most prominent drawback is its inability to interact with humans. Technology can facilitate the learning process. However, it cannot replace the role of the teacher. Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives. They do not explain how to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. Without a great teacher, technology merely becomes an automated tool and stops inspiring and engaging students. Ultimately, it isn’t about teachers being replaced by technology but how teachers can adapt to incorporate technology in their lessons.

As much innovation as the iPad may bring to the classroom, it is not going to replace a teacher anytime soon. In fact, the influx of technology like iPads means there is a greater need for teachers. We need teachers who are part early adopter, part integrator, and part mad scientist. The modern teacher must be willing to take chances and able to figure out not just how technology works, but how it works for each student, and where its use is most appropriate.

The question of whether technology will replace teachers is an age-old debate and one that is likely to continue as technology evolves further. In the same way that the calculator didn’t displace maths teachers, technology will continue aiding teachers to educate well-rounded and engaged students. As our Hugo Wernhoff notes, “We’re not only in it to offer flexibility in time and place for students, or lower costs for providers. Our main ambition is instead to deliver better learning.” Technology can only assist in delivering better learning when it is used by a great teacher. Students will always benefit from the guidance and instruction of a teacher at the front of a classroom.

13. This in Paragraph 1 (“But what does this mean for teachers?”) refers to …

1) the continuing growth in education technology.

2) the opportunity to take university courses online.

3) more people turning to online education.

4) the freedom technology gives to people.

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

Will online education replace classroom education anytime soon?

Over the last decade, the number of people taking online courses and using technology as a tool to enhance their education has increased dramatically. You can now master a foreign language or complete a whole degree without leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can decide not only when you want to learn but also how you want to learn. Meanwhile, the range of technology used inside the classroom has also boomed, with the rise of smartboards, digital textbooks and, most notably, the tools offered on the Internet. But what does this mean for teachers? While many teachers are excited by technology, others are concerned by its rapid development. They wonder whether they themselves could be replaced.

Technology gives us abundant opportunities. In a geography lesson, we can now transport students to explore another country. In an English class, we can take them back in time to experience Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed during his lifetime. Students are able to watch videos at home that explain how to use algebra, or allow them to see first-hand the life cycle of a plant. Technology doesn’t discriminate based on a student’s ability or skill. It provides an opportunity to engage students using a medium that they recognise. Technology is growing not just within our classrooms but also in our everyday lives, so it is natural that we should increasingly incorporate it into classrooms.

Crucially, the use of technology in the classroom doesn’t lessen the need for great teachers. In fact, it is great teachers who make using technology so significant in students’ education. Whilst technology is able to take on a whole host of tasks, it does have its shortcomings. The most prominent drawback is its inability to interact with humans. Technology can facilitate the learning process. However, it cannot replace the role of the teacher. Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives. They do not explain how to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. Without a great teacher, technology merely becomes an automated tool and stops inspiring and engaging students. Ultimately, it isn’t about teachers being replaced by technology but how teachers can adapt to incorporate technology in their lessons.

As much innovation as the iPad may bring to the classroom, it is not going to replace a teacher anytime soon. In fact, the influx of technology like iPads means there is a greater need for teachers. We need teachers who are part early adopter, part integrator, and part mad scientist. The modern teacher must be willing to take chances and able to figure out not just how technology works, but how it works for each student, and where its use is most appropriate.

The question of whether technology will replace teachers is an age-old debate and one that is likely to continue as technology evolves further. In the same way that the calculator didn’t displace maths teachers, technology will continue aiding teachers to educate well-rounded and engaged students. As our Hugo Wernhoff notes, “We’re not only in it to offer flexibility in time and place for students, or lower costs for providers. Our main ambition is instead to deliver better learning.” Technology can only assist in delivering better learning when it is used by a great teacher. Students will always benefit from the guidance and instruction of a teacher at the front of a classroom.

14. Which statement about the use of technology is FALSE, according to the text?

1) Technology gives everyone equal chances.

2) It provides the environment students are used to.

3) We cannot avoid technology, so we should use it.

4) Students should use technology at home.

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

Will online education replace classroom education anytime soon?

Over the last decade, the number of people taking online courses and using technology as a tool to enhance their education has increased dramatically. You can now master a foreign language or complete a whole degree without leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can decide not only when you want to learn but also how you want to learn. Meanwhile, the range of technology used inside the classroom has also boomed, with the rise of smartboards, digital textbooks and, most notably, the tools offered on the Internet. But what does this mean for teachers? While many teachers are excited by technology, others are concerned by its rapid development. They wonder whether they themselves could be replaced.

Technology gives us abundant opportunities. In a geography lesson, we can now transport students to explore another country. In an English class, we can take them back in time to experience Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed during his lifetime. Students are able to watch videos at home that explain how to use algebra, or allow them to see first-hand the life cycle of a plant. Technology doesn’t discriminate based on a student’s ability or skill. It provides an opportunity to engage students using a medium that they recognise. Technology is growing not just within our classrooms but also in our everyday lives, so it is natural that we should increasingly incorporate it into classrooms.

Crucially, the use of technology in the classroom doesn’t lessen the need for great teachers. In fact, it is great teachers who make using technology so significant in students’ education. Whilst technology is able to take on a whole host of tasks, it does have its shortcomings. The most prominent drawback is its inability to interact with humans. Technology can facilitate the learning process. However, it cannot replace the role of the teacher. Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives. They do not explain how to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. Without a great teacher, technology merely becomes an automated tool and stops inspiring and engaging students. Ultimately, it isn’t about teachers being replaced by technology but how teachers can adapt to incorporate technology in their lessons.

As much innovation as the iPad may bring to the classroom, it is not going to replace a teacher anytime soon. In fact, the influx of technology like iPads means there is a greater need for teachers. We need teachers who are part early adopter, part integrator, and part mad scientist. The modern teacher must be willing to take chances and able to figure out not just how technology works, but how it works for each student, and where its use is most appropriate.

The question of whether technology will replace teachers is an age-old debate and one that is likely to continue as technology evolves further. In the same way that the calculator didn’t displace maths teachers, technology will continue aiding teachers to educate well-rounded and engaged students. As our Hugo Wernhoff notes, “We’re not only in it to offer flexibility in time and place for students, or lower costs for providers. Our main ambition is instead to deliver better learning.” Technology can only assist in delivering better learning when it is used by a great teacher. Students will always benefit from the guidance and instruction of a teacher at the front of a classroom.

15. Discriminate in Paragraph 3 (“Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information ...”) most probably means …

1) favour.

2) distinguish.

3) judge.

4) characterise.

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

Will online education replace classroom education anytime soon?

Over the last decade, the number of people taking online courses and using technology as a tool to enhance their education has increased dramatically. You can now master a foreign language or complete a whole degree without leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can decide not only when you want to learn but also how you want to learn. Meanwhile, the range of technology used inside the classroom has also boomed, with the rise of smartboards, digital textbooks and, most notably, the tools offered on the Internet. But what does this mean for teachers? While many teachers are excited by technology, others are concerned by its rapid development. They wonder whether they themselves could be replaced.

Technology gives us abundant opportunities. In a geography lesson, we can now transport students to explore another country. In an English class, we can take them back in time to experience Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed during his lifetime. Students are able to watch videos at home that explain how to use algebra, or allow them to see first-hand the life cycle of a plant. Technology doesn’t discriminate based on a student’s ability or skill. It provides an opportunity to engage students using a medium that they recognise. Technology is growing not just within our classrooms but also in our everyday lives, so it is natural that we should increasingly incorporate it into classrooms.

Crucially, the use of technology in the classroom doesn’t lessen the need for great teachers. In fact, it is great teachers who make using technology so significant in students’ education. Whilst technology is able to take on a whole host of tasks, it does have its shortcomings. The most prominent drawback is its inability to interact with humans. Technology can facilitate the learning process. However, it cannot replace the role of the teacher. Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives. They do not explain how to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. Without a great teacher, technology merely becomes an automated tool and stops inspiring and engaging students. Ultimately, it isn’t about teachers being replaced by technology but how teachers can adapt to incorporate technology in their lessons.

As much innovation as the iPad may bring to the classroom, it is not going to replace a teacher anytime soon. In fact, the influx of technology like iPads means there is a greater need for teachers. We need teachers who are part early adopter, part integrator, and part mad scientist. The modern teacher must be willing to take chances and able to figure out not just how technology works, but how it works for each student, and where its use is most appropriate.

The question of whether technology will replace teachers is an age-old debate and one that is likely to continue as technology evolves further. In the same way that the calculator didn’t displace maths teachers, technology will continue aiding teachers to educate well-rounded and engaged students. As our Hugo Wernhoff notes, “We’re not only in it to offer flexibility in time and place for students, or lower costs for providers. Our main ambition is instead to deliver better learning.” Technology can only assist in delivering better learning when it is used by a great teacher. Students will always benefit from the guidance and instruction of a teacher at the front of a classroom.

16. Which advantage of human teachers over technology is NOT mentioned in Paragraph 3?

1) Development of critical thinking skills.

2) Awareness of students’ personal characteristics.

3) Student involvement and motivation.

4) Communication and interaction.

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

Will online education replace classroom education anytime soon?

Over the last decade, the number of people taking online courses and using technology as a tool to enhance their education has increased dramatically. You can now master a foreign language or complete a whole degree without leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can decide not only when you want to learn but also how you want to learn. Meanwhile, the range of technology used inside the classroom has also boomed, with the rise of smartboards, digital textbooks and, most notably, the tools offered on the Internet. But what does this mean for teachers? While many teachers are excited by technology, others are concerned by its rapid development. They wonder whether they themselves could be replaced.

Technology gives us abundant opportunities. In a geography lesson, we can now transport students to explore another country. In an English class, we can take them back in time to experience Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed during his lifetime. Students are able to watch videos at home that explain how to use algebra, or allow them to see first-hand the life cycle of a plant. Technology doesn’t discriminate based on a student’s ability or skill. It provides an opportunity to engage students using a medium that they recognise. Technology is growing not just within our classrooms but also in our everyday lives, so it is natural that we should increasingly incorporate it into classrooms.

Crucially, the use of technology in the classroom doesn’t lessen the need for great teachers. In fact, it is great teachers who make using technology so significant in students’ education. Whilst technology is able to take on a whole host of tasks, it does have its shortcomings. The most prominent drawback is its inability to interact with humans. Technology can facilitate the learning process. However, it cannot replace the role of the teacher. Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives. They do not explain how to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. Without a great teacher, technology merely becomes an automated tool and stops inspiring and engaging students. Ultimately, it isn’t about teachers being replaced by technology but how teachers can adapt to incorporate technology in their lessons.

As much innovation as the iPad may bring to the classroom, it is not going to replace a teacher anytime soon. In fact, the influx of technology like iPads means there is a greater need for teachers. We need teachers who are part early adopter, part integrator, and part mad scientist. The modern teacher must be willing to take chances and able to figure out not just how technology works, but how it works for each student, and where its use is most appropriate.

The question of whether technology will replace teachers is an age-old debate and one that is likely to continue as technology evolves further. In the same way that the calculator didn’t displace maths teachers, technology will continue aiding teachers to educate well-rounded and engaged students. As our Hugo Wernhoff notes, “We’re not only in it to offer flexibility in time and place for students, or lower costs for providers. Our main ambition is instead to deliver better learning.” Technology can only assist in delivering better learning when it is used by a great teacher. Students will always benefit from the guidance and instruction of a teacher at the front of a classroom.

17. Before using technology, a teacher has to find out if it is …

1) modern.

2) safe.

3) suitable.

4) enjoyable.

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

Will online education replace classroom education anytime soon?

Over the last decade, the number of people taking online courses and using technology as a tool to enhance their education has increased dramatically. You can now master a foreign language or complete a whole degree without leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can decide not only when you want to learn but also how you want to learn. Meanwhile, the range of technology used inside the classroom has also boomed, with the rise of smartboards, digital textbooks and, most notably, the tools offered on the Internet. But what does this mean for teachers? While many teachers are excited by technology, others are concerned by its rapid development. They wonder whether they themselves could be replaced.

Technology gives us abundant opportunities. In a geography lesson, we can now transport students to explore another country. In an English class, we can take them back in time to experience Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed during his lifetime. Students are able to watch videos at home that explain how to use algebra, or allow them to see first-hand the life cycle of a plant. Technology doesn’t discriminate based on a student’s ability or skill. It provides an opportunity to engage students using a medium that they recognise. Technology is growing not just within our classrooms but also in our everyday lives, so it is natural that we should increasingly incorporate it into classrooms.

Crucially, the use of technology in the classroom doesn’t lessen the need for great teachers. In fact, it is great teachers who make using technology so significant in students’ education. Whilst technology is able to take on a whole host of tasks, it does have its shortcomings. The most prominent drawback is its inability to interact with humans. Technology can facilitate the learning process. However, it cannot replace the role of the teacher. Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives. They do not explain how to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. Without a great teacher, technology merely becomes an automated tool and stops inspiring and engaging students. Ultimately, it isn’t about teachers being replaced by technology but how teachers can adapt to incorporate technology in their lessons.

As much innovation as the iPad may bring to the classroom, it is not going to replace a teacher anytime soon. In fact, the influx of technology like iPads means there is a greater need for teachers. We need teachers who are part early adopter, part integrator, and part mad scientist. The modern teacher must be willing to take chances and able to figure out not just how technology works, but how it works for each student, and where its use is most appropriate.

The question of whether technology will replace teachers is an age-old debate and one that is likely to continue as technology evolves further. In the same way that the calculator didn’t displace maths teachers, technology will continue aiding teachers to educate well-rounded and engaged students. As our Hugo Wernhoff notes, “We’re not only in it to offer flexibility in time and place for students, or lower costs for providers. Our main ambition is instead to deliver better learning.” Technology can only assist in delivering better learning when it is used by a great teacher. Students will always benefit from the guidance and instruction of a teacher at the front of a classroom.

18. The author draws the conclusion that technology …

1) will substitute teachers in the distant future.

2) can help teachers but cannot replace them.

3) will never be as effective as human teachers.

4) cannot be trusted as human teachers are.

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

Why you need to pick up a book again

According to Pew Research Center findings from 2018, 24 percent of the population had not read a book in the past year. And for those that do read, the American Times Use Survey –– conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics –– found that Americans over the age of 15 spend only about sixteen minutes a day reading for personal development. However, one silver lining of the pandemic may be that we are reading more. In fact, in the past year, 35 percent of the population have been reading more than they had in previous years.

You may say, books are not the only sources of written text or, more broadly, information in our lives. We tend to spend two hours and twenty four minutes per day on social media. Interestingly, reading versus using social media have very different outcomes when it comes to our mental health. While many believe their mood will improve after checking their social media, many report that it actually worsens following a social media scroll. Yet, when people engage in reading –– whether it is for self-help or for fun –– reading has been shown to reduce stress. In fact, just six minutes of reading a day can reduce stress levels.

Here are just a few ways that reading can benefit you.

Reading is a form of mindfulness. Because we are often multitasking (which puts a heavy cognitive load on our brains), we often experience greater brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. When you settle down into a book, you are brought into the here and now, where you can focus presently on the story. The key is to stick with it. Especially if you are not used to reading, it can feel really uncomfortable to lean in. However, tell yourself that you are going to read at least ten pages to start. Chances are, you will want to keep going by the time you hit page 10.

Reading can improve your emotional intelligence. Citing Christensen’s article from CNN Health, she includes a quote from Keith Oatley, a cognitive psychology professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, and an award-winning novelist. He stated, “Those who read fiction may understand people better than others. A work of fiction is a piece of consciousness that can pass from one mind to another, and that reader can make it their own.”

Thus, when we take the time to really listen to another perspective, we can build our empathy in a profound way. In fact, fiction may be even more potent at some point, as it really goes into deep character development, and we gain a better understanding of the “why” behind a character’s motives.

Reading has all kinds of cognitive benefits. Not only has reading been shown to improve sleep, but readers are also shown to have improved concentration and demonstrate greater memory retention. So, if you have been feeling cloudy, reading may be the perfect thing to sharpen your ability to recall.

Even better is if you take a highlighter or pen to the lines that stand out to you. Write in the margins and include follow-up questions for yourself to build off of the text. Add your ideas that arise when you are reading. This will help you deepen your critical thinking skills.

And one of the best parts about reading a good book? You can always pass it along to someone who will enjoy it next. Surprise them with a package in the mail or drop it off on their doorstep. I frequently do this on my social media account, where I offer to ship the books I have read to my community. I find that people love it! This is a great way to ensure that your books are bringing joy to others, rather than just gathering dust.

12. Which fact about reading habits is FALSE, according to Paragraph 1?

1) In 2018 almost a quarter of the US population did not read books.

2) Adults in the US read half an hour a day for personal development.

3) Teenagers and adults spend less than 20 minutes reading for development.

4) During the previous year, more than a third of the citizens read more than before.