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ОГЭ по английскому языку Задание №18 Понимание запрашиваемой информации в тексте 6

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Two Candidates

Mr Stone was a very clever man whose thoughts were always on learning. When he applied for a post at Camford University, his friends had no doubts that he would get the job. Even though there were hundreds of candidates willing to try their luck, he made up his mind to take part in the contest. Arriving at Camford, a very small town, he learnt that the only hotel was already full. So, he had to stay in the same room with another candidate, a cheerful fellow called Adams, about twenty years younger than himself. The committee listened to all the candidates and only two of them, Mr Stone and Mr Adams, were chosen because it seemed impossible to decide who was more skillful. That is why, they were both asked to prepare a report on Ancient Greece and to give a lecture on the subject in three days’ time.

Mr Stone almost stopped eating and sleeping. He worked day and night, arranging his thoughts, writing out and learning his lecture by heart. As for Adams, he didn’t seem to do any preparation. He spent most of his time playing tennis and going to parties and did not return to his room till midnight.

On the day of the lecture Mr Stone, waiting for his turn to speak, discovered that his speech had disappeared. Turning his head, he saw Adams take the stolen speech out of his pocket and heard him read it to the audience. Adams read it so well that when he finished there was a storm of applause. Mr Stone was too much upset to protest. So, when his turn came, he could only repeat the same speech word for word, in a low voice.

When the committee went out to decide who the successful candidate was, everyone was sure what their choice would be. However, when the Dean gave Mr Stone’s name at last, nobody could believe it! They all had admired Mr Adams’s remarkable speech so much! Asked for explanation, the Dean said:

“The reason why we have chosen Mr Stone is that he was able to repeat from memory a brilliant lecture he had never heard before. What a memory must he have! And a fine memory is quite necessary for this post.”

As they walked out of the room, the Dean came up to Mr Stone and, shaking his hand, said:

“Congratulations, Mr Stone! However, let me give you a piece of advice. Be more careful and don’t leave valuable papers lying about!”

18. Mr Stone spoke so quietly that nobody heard him.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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Wild and Beautiful

I saw my first tiger in a national park in India. It was a male and he was drinking at a waterhole. He raised his head slowly and stared at us for a full minute. Then he turned his back on us and disappeared quickly into the jungle.

Twenty years ago, the tiger was in trouble. In India its numbers were around 1,800. Then the Indian government launched Project Tiger, which set up national parks all over the country. Poachers still hunt the tiger illegally, but at least it is no longer in danger of extinction.

In Africa, the most important species in danger is the elephant, the world’s largest living land mammal. In 1979 there were 1.3 million elephants there. Ten years later, their numbers were down to fewer than 600,000 and still were falling. Conservationists warned that the species could be extinct by the end of the century.

But slowly the situation changed. In July 1989, Kenya’s President Moi publicly burnt his country’s stock of ivory, and towards the end of 1989 the world agreed to ban the ivory trade completely. Since then, the demand for ivory has fallen sharply, and elephant numbers in countries such as Kenya and Tanzania are increasing rapidly.

On the other side of the world, the grey whales of California nearly disappeared in the last century. Fortunately, the US Marine Mammals Protection Act of 1972 saved them. That same year, Mexico created the world’s first whale sanctuary on the west coast of the Baja. The grey whales recovered quickly. Today there are perhaps 20,000 and these gentle giants are now worth more alive than dead. The reason is whale-watching, American craze for tourists.

All over the world other rare species continue to receive protection; giant tortoises in the Galapagos, pink pigeons in Mauritius. In America you can hear the song of the timber wolf, and see the mountain lion in the canyons high forests.

Suddenly, wildlife is good for the tourist trade. And tourism — provided it takes only pictures and leaves only footprints — is good for the national parks. If wildlife can be seen to be paying its way, then its chance of survival will be much greater.

18. Tourists were not interested in whales thirty years ago.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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The Selective Memory

Long, warm evenings spent messing around the village harbour. Watching the fishermen going about their business. I remember a general sensation of well-being. It never used to be cold as it always seems to be when I walk along the seacoast today. The endless days spent indoors because of the steady rain are forgotten. Only the sunshine and warmth remain as a memory.

I lived in a little seaside village which was full of holidaymakers in the summer and deserted the rest of the year. We ran free, a gang of local children of all ages. School work was never a big issue; we used to do it quickly so we could go off down to the village. We used to eat enormous slices of bread and jam before pulling on our bathing costumes and heading for the harbour to join other kids.

Our main occupation during the summer months was jumping off the harbour wall into the sea. We used to encourage one another to jump higher and higher. The most admired feat used to be the big jump from the top of the small lighthouse which was the highest point along the sea wall. Only the bravest members of the gang used to do this one.

But our greatest admiration was for the beautiful, young people who drove speed boats around the bay. We used to sit on the wall watching these strangers who lived in far-away towns and who spent their holidays sunbathing and water skiing. We used to dream of becoming members of their exclusive club and going on trips around the bay. But they never mixed with us locals.

Sometimes we went fishing off the rocks. We used to spend hours in the rock pools which were only visible at low tide. We didn’t use to do things according to the time of day, but instead, we followed the rhythm of the sea. Our clock was the timetable at the entrance to the harbour which informed the fishermen of the daily times of high and low tides.

The memory selects only parts of childhood, the rest is pushed into dark corners. We never remember the whole truth, only bits and pieces picked up here and there.

My own memory has only kept the happy moments of a free and easy childhood, but I wonder if this is always the case?

18. The author was the bravest member of his company.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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Niccolo Paganini: Virtuoso or Devil?

He was the first superstar. His incredible technique — he could do miracles with his violin — and his unusual appearance tempted many of his admirers to whisper that he was the son of the devil.

Although Niccolo Paganini was always the subject of rumour, the secret of his power was that he worked hard since early childhood. Paganini was born in Genoa, Italy, on October 27, 1782. His father, Antonio Paganini raised his son with a hand of iron. He hoped that his son’s talent would bring the family fame and wealth, so he forced Niccolo to practise from morning to night. He drilled the boy constantly, even leaving him without food, if he didn’t play well enough. In 1797, Paganini started his concert tours. He earned enough money to support himself and he left home.

He composed, he taught, he gave concerts. His violin could sound so soft and sweet that his audiences often burst into tears. People just couldn’t believe that a man could play like that.

Paganini’s appearance seemed to support this opinion. He was tall and thin, and his long pale face, his eyes which were like flaming charcoals and his long curly hair looked a bit diabolic. Sometimes people crossed themselves if he accidentally touched them.

Paganini became something of a legend. He enjoyed playing tricks at his concerts. In the middle of a piece, he would cut all of the strings except for one and continue just on the one string.

Paganini made a lot of money during his career. But in 1836, he decided to open a casino — a “Casino Paganini” — in Paris. It was a failure and he lost almost all his money. Paganini’s health had always been weak and after that his illness grew worse. He died on May 27, 1840 in Nice, France.

Church refused to allow him a burial on holy ground. Paganini’s son took his father’s body to Genoa, but they were not allowed to enter the city. Only five years after Paganini’s death, his son, by appealing directly to the Pope, received permission to bury the body of the great violinist in a village church.

18. He died of a heart attack.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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A Christmas Story

Years ago, there was a very rich man whose main interest in life was collecting art. He was a widower and he had a son, who shared his father’s passion. Together they travelled around the world buying the finest pictures for their collection.

War put an end to their travels. The young man left to serve his country. After a few weeks, his father got the news that the young man had died while taking a fellow soldier to hospital.

Miserable and lonely, the old man thought about the upcoming Christmas holidays. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he opened the door, he saw a young soldier with a large package in his hand. “I was a friend of your son,” he said. “I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in? I have something to show you.”

The soldier told the old man how his son had saved his life and how everyone in the regiment loved and respected him.

“I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.” He handed the package to the old man. The old man unwrapped the package and saw that it was a picture — a portrait of his son. The old man knew enough about art to understand that the picture was not the work of a genius, but it was his son’s face, his features, his expression... The likeness was striking.

The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession. He valued it more than the pieces which museums around the world would be proud to have.

The following spring, the old man became ill and died. As he had no relatives, all his paintings were to be sold at an auction. According to the old man’s will, the pictures had to be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received his greatest gift. Art collectors from around the world gathered to buy some of the world’s most famous paintings.

The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening sum. The room was silent. “Who will start with $100?” he asked. No one spoke. Minutes passed. From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.”

“No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?”

After a few minutes a man stood up and said, “I’m not an art collector. I just knew the father and the son, and I’d like to have the boy’s portrait, if nobody wants it. But I have only ten dollars.”

“Ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. “Going once, going twice. And now the auction is over.”

The room went quiet. Everybody looked at the auctioneer in disbelief. Then somebody asked, “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old man’s son painted by an artist nobody has heard of. What about all these paintings?”

The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son ... gets it all.”

18. Art collectors came to the auction following the old man’s will.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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The Gift

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. Three times Delia counted it. And tomorrow was Christmas. She sat down on the old sofa and burst into tears. She had saved every penny for months and this was the result. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. She had spent hours planning to buy something nice for him.

She went to the mirror and let down her hair. She let it fall to its full length, below her knees. There were two possessions of which the Dillinghams were very proud. One was Jim’s gold watch, which had been his grandfather’s. The other was Delia’s hair.

She put her hair up again nervously and cried a little again. Then she put on her old brown jacket, her old brown hat and went down the stairs to the street. She stopped at a sign which read: ‘Madame Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds’. She ran up the stairs.

‘Will you buy my hair?’ asked Delia.

‘Take your hat off,’ said Madame Sofronie, ‘and let me look at it.’ She let her hair down. ‘Twenty dollars,’ said Madame. ‘Give it to me quickly,’ said Delia and the woman began to cut off Delia’s beautiful long hair.

For the next two hours Delia searched for a present for Jim. Then she found it. It was a platinum chain for Jim’s watch. As soon as she saw it, she knew it was right for Jim. It cost $21.

When Delia got home, she started to curl her hair. After half an hour, her head was covered in small curls. At seven o’clock the front door opened and Jim came in. Delia whispered, to herself: ‘Please God, make him think I am still pretty.’ Jim looked thin and serious. Poor Jim! He was only twenty-two. His eyes fixed upon Delia and there was an expression on his face which frightened her.

‘Jim, darling, don’t look at me like that. My hair will grow again. I cut it off and sold it because I wanted to buy you a present. I’ve got a beautiful present for you.’

‘You’ve cut off your hair?’ said Jim slowly.

‘Yes, but I’m still me without my hair, aren’t I?’

‘Your hair is gone,’ he said again, almost like an idiot.

He took a package from his coat pocket and threw it on the table. Delia tore at the string and paper. First, an ecstatic scream. Then hysterical tears.

For there lay the combs, the set of beautiful, tortoiseshell hair combs which she had wanted for so long. She knew they were expensive.

She hugged them closely and said: ‘My hair grows very fast, Jim.’ Then she jumped up and gave him her present. The platinum watch chain flashed in the light.

‘Isn’t it beautiful Jim? Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it.’

Jim sat down on the sofa and smiled. ‘Dell,’ he said, ‘let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep them for a while. They’re too nice to use at present. I sold the watch to buy your combs. Now let’s have supper.’

18. Jim expected to see Delia with short hair.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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The Beatles

Ask anyone, in any country, whether they are young or old, rich or poor, if they’ve heard of the Beatles and they will all say: ‘Yes, of course!’ Most people know the names of at least two members of the group; most likely, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Some people may also know a few things about when they were very young. They probably know, for instance, that they were born in Liverpool, went to school there and that there were four members of the group. But that’s all that most people know about them.

John Lennon started The Beatles. He was abandoned by his parents when he was a baby and caused lots of trouble at school. He was a great fan of American rock’n’roll and started his first band when he was at school. Paul McCartney went to see this band play in 1957 and joined it shortly afterwards. Lennon and McCartney soon became very close friends. McCartney’s talent impressed Lennon and Lennon’s knowledge of the world impressed McCartney. Soon they agreed that everything they wrote together or individually would be published under their joint names ‘Lennon—McCartney.’ They kept this agreement for nearly 15 years.

George Harrison was the next person to join the group and, later, the drummer, Pete Best, who was replaced by Ringo Starr. The group had lots of different names when it started. They were originally called the Quarry Men, then Johnny & the Moondogs, and The Silver Beatles. They finally decided on the name Beatles with Lennon misspelling it on purpose to make the pun on ‘beat group’.

In 1960, The Beatles spent four months playing at clubs in Hamburg, Germany. They worked really hard there and performed eight hours every night. This helped them to build up a really impressive act and they signed their first record deal in 1962.

The Beatles’ enormous success, which followed immediately after their first record was released, was unbelievable. John Lennon later talked about what it was like to be a Beatle in the early days. He said they spent all their time in a car or in a hotel room, because they travelled by road so much all over the country and spent their time between gigs in hotels.

The Beatles stopped touring everywhere shortly after 1964 and although they continued to compose and perform songs together, that was really the beginning of the end of the group. The Beatles formed their own music company called Apple and from 1966 to 1970 they produced many famous collections and songs which reflected the spirit of the time and which are still popular nowadays — songs such as ‘Hey Jude’ or ‘Let It Be’.

And then, finally, the group split up. But that was not the end of their musical creativity. Lennon, for example, formed another band soon afterwards and wrote one of the most famous songs of all time: ‘Imagine’.

18. The Beatles travelled all over Europe during the first two years.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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Sharks

Sharks are probably the most feared of all sea animals. There are more than 360 kinds of sharks in the waters of the world. But, scientists say, only some species are dangerous to man.

They live in oceans throughout the world but are usually found in warm waters.

Sharks are remarkably successful animals. The first sharks lived on our planet more than 420 million years ago! They are fast and strong. They have very few parasites and are hardly ever ill. They have almost no enemies except other sharks.

Some people think that all sharks are big. But some kinds of sharks are no bigger than your hand. The smallest shark is about 16 centimetres long and weighs about 28 grams.

The biggest shark — and the largest of all fish — is the whale shark. It may grow up to 12 metres long and may weigh over 14 tons, over twice as much as an average African elephant! The whale shark has three thousand teeth but it will never bite you. It is quite harmless. It eats only tiny shrimp and fish.

Different sharks have different habits. Some kinds live in the depths of the ocean and are very seldom seen. Others are found near the surface. A few species enter rivers and lakes. Scientists believe that one species, the Ganges River shark of India and Pakistan, lives only in rivers.

Some sharks are loners, others like to gather together. Blue sharks are called the wolves of the sea because they stay together in packs.

Blue sharks often swim after a ship for days. A long time ago sailors thought this meant that someone was going to die. Today we know that sharks follow ships because of the noise they make. When the garbage is thrown into the water the sharks stop and eat it.

Most fish lay eggs. But most sharks do not. Their babies are born alive and completely developed. They do not need parental care. A baby shark is called a pup. The pup of the great white shark is almost the size of a man. As soon as they are born the pups go their own way. It isn’t safe to stay near a hungry mother.

A shark’s brain is small but its teeth are big. It has many rows of teeth. When a tooth breaks off a new tooth moves up to take its place. In some species new teeth replace the rows of older ones as often as once a week!

What do sharks eat with all these teeth? Fish and more fish, other sharks, seals, turtles, crabs. Almost anything that swims in the sea.

Sometimes sharks eat things that are not food. No one knows why. All these things have been found inside big sharks: a wallet, a drum, a bottle of wine, a chest of jewels and a suit of armour!

Do sharks eat people? Yes, they do. If a person is near a shark, the shark may attack. But it doesn’t happen very often. Fewer than 100 shark attacks a year are reported throughout the world.

The most dangerous shark in the sea is the great white shark. It is named so after its white belly. The great white shark may be more than 6 metres. It can sink a boat, it can bite a man in two, it can even swallow a man whole. It circles its prey, appearing from nowhere, and often approaching from below.

However, specialists say, more people die from bee stings than from shark bites!

Sharks do not go hunting for people. But people do go hunting for sharks. And then they have to be careful. A shark may look dead. Then all of a sudden it can ‘wake up’ — and attack.

18. The teeth of some sharks grow very fast.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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The Prince’s Trust

A few years ago, Kevin Hewitt, 24, had gone “as low as you can possibly get.” He was homeless and was stealing from family and friends until he finally ended up in prison. After he got out, he found out about The Prince’s Trust and it changed his life.

The Prince’s Trust was founded by Charles the Prince of Wales in 1976. It offers support such as training and money to people aged 14 to 30. The goal is to help people get over the difficulties they have had in their lives and realise they can become successful. Since it was founded, more than half a million young people in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been helped, including Kevin.

The Trust focuses particularly on young people who have low marks in school, are out of work or have been in trouble with the law. It supports them in a number of ways. First, they may borrow up to £5,000 to start their own business. They also get a ‘mentor’, a person who has opened their own business and can offer some good advice and help when needed. Secondly, The Trust runs twelve-week personal development courses called Team. The participants, aged 16 to 25, gain new skills, qualifications and work experience through teamwork in the community. Next there is Sound Live, a six-month programme that develops young people’s musical talents and confidence.

Professionals train participants and help them find work in the music business or other careers.

These programmes and others offer encouragement to many disadvantaged young people. Kevin says: “When I got out of prison, I felt alone and to get so much trust from an organisation was just what I needed.”

Of course all these programmes need funding, and this is achieved in many ways. People who want to help can either make donations on the Internet using their credit card or organise their own fund-raiser. However, the most famous fund-raising event is Party in the Park which has taken place in Hyde Park, London every summer since 1998. In fact, it has become Europe’s biggest one-day pop event, where audiences enjoy musical performances by well-known pop stars and bands such as Meat Loaf, Sugababes and Shakira. Over £1 million is raised and audiences can see amazing stunts such as pop groups flying across the stage on a rope.

Today, Kevin is beginning a career as a youth worker, helping others like himself get off the street. He knows the difference The Prince’s Trust can make. “I learnt to believe in myself and was given the opportunity to work with other people. I can’t thank them enough.”

18. Well-known pop stars and bands make donations to The Trust’s fund.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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Circus Oz

In 1977 two successful circus groups, Soapbox Circus and the New Circus, joined together to start Circus Oz. The performers had ordinary circus skills but they wanted to make a different kind of show, adding music, theatre and comment. They got together a collection of old trucks and caravans and went on the road. It was a fresh and original voice in circus and became immediately popular with audiences.

Since that time, Circus Oz has performed in 26 different countries. As with all circuses, performances take place inside a tent or Big Top. Circus Oz’s first tent was sewn together by performers in a large basement. It was used for years to tour Australia but when it became too small, Circus Oz was forced to hire tents or move into theatres.

In 2002, Circus Oz had a new tent made. It is designed with few poles inside so people watching can see better than in other circuses.

The performances are suitable for people of all ages and each show features a live band. The Big Top is heated and air-conditioned. Snacks and drinks are served in the Big Top but not full meals.

Circus Oz classes are held at the Circus Oz Headquarters in Port Melbourne. Every Saturday of the school term there are classes for both children and teenagers. The Introduction to Circus class is for 7–12 year olds, taking the children through a range of circus skills with a focus on developing good form and having fun. The Circus Skills class is for 8–12-year-olds, and is offered to children who have been practising their skills for a while. The Teenage Special class is for 13–18-year-olds. This class is for both beginners and those who are continuing from the Circus Skills class. Classes are also run during some of the school holidays.

18. The main office of Circus Oz is situated in Australia.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

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Running the Thames

Three friends Alan, Tom and Martin decided to run 184 miles along the most famous British river – from the beginning of the Thames down to its mouth, where the river runs into the sea.

Their preparations for the marathon didn't take long and they set out. It was not easy to find the place marked on the map as the official source of the river Thames. In reality, it was an old stone under a big tree. Surprisingly, there was practically no water at the source, just a small pit. However, at the end of the first day they came to a narrow stream running under a wooden bridge.

The runners were lucky with the weather; it was cool and bright for the whole week. Soft winds blew and the sun shone. In spite of the weather, the start of the marathon was not very promising. On the first day, Martin accidentally fell over a tree root and hurt his foot. In addition to that, Alan said he had damaged his rucksack during their preparation. However, the friends went on running.

They passed lovely houses and some wonderful nature. The Thames had grown from a small river into a strong stream. Hypnotised by the view of the river, Tom missed the path and fell into the mud. Cold and angry, he was a real trouble the first day. In the evening, the runners reached the point where the river became possible to navigate. The friends were so tired that they stopped at a cheap hotel for food, drink and sleep.

The second day they ran along arched stone bridges and through forty-five river locks, each one having its own history. The runners stopped at the first lock to take a photo by the 19th century statue of Old Father Thames. The other locks and the bridges, dating from the 13th century, could have told much about British royal families, writers and inventors, battles and victories. So the runners spent the second day exploring the locks and the old bridges and taking photos.

The next few days Alan, Tom and Martin ran through quiet and peaceful places in Oxfordshire. The calm river occupied all their thoughts and they left their troubles behind them. They spent nights at small Bed-and-Breakfasts with unusual foreign guests who were discovering the old British towns, castles and churches.

Closer to London the Thames changed its character. It became wide and busy with numerous boats and ships. The banks were full of grand houses with green lawns, street markets and modern walkways.

On the seventh day the runners followed the river as it cut the capital in two. The friends made their way past famous London sights such as The Tower, The London Eye and Greenwich.

Finally the friends got to The Thames Barrier, where the river ran into the sea. The marathon was over.

18. Near London the Thames was closed to navigation.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated