A. The Houses of Parliament
Designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, who was responsible for all the decorative work. The buildings occupied the site of the old Royal Palace of Westminster, which had burnt down in 1834. Neither Barry nor Pugin were to live to see the new buildings completed. The famous tower and clock are known as “Big Ben”, but this is in fact the name of the 16-ton bell which rings the hour. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

B. Cleopatra’s Needle
This obelisk was first erected in Egypt by Pharaoh Thotmes III around 1500 BC. It was presented to the British people in 1819, in recognition of Nelson’s victory over the French fleet at the battle of the Nile in 1798. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

C. Royal National Theatre.
Opened in 1976, this building contains three theatres: the Olivier, the Lyttleton and the Cottesloe, as well as restaurants and a bookshop. Visitors can join tours of the building. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

D. Blackfriars Bridge
Opened in 1869 by Queen Victoria. Its stone pillars shaped like the pulpits of a church, echo the 12th century Dominican monastery whose monks’ black habits gave the area its name. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

E. St Paul’s Cathedral
Christopher Wren’s masterpiece took 35 years to build. Work started in 1675 during the reign of Charles II to replace the old St Paul’s which was destroyed by fire in 1666. Its 365ft (110m) high dome is slightly smaller than St Peter’s in Rome. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

F. The Globe
Guided tours give an opportunity of witnessing this great Elizabethan theatre following its reconstruction precisely as it would have been over 400 years ago. The tours paint a vivid picture of the surrounding area and of the theatre itself, in which Shakespeare was not only a shareholder, but also an actor, and where most of his plays were first performed. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

G. Southwark Bridge
The present bridge, dating from 1921, replaced the original toll bridge opened in 1819. It was never very popular, as the Londoners preferred to use the toll-free London Bridge. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

H. Southwark Cathedral
Some parts date back to the 12th century when it was attached to a priory. It was here that John Harvard, who founded Harvard University in Massachusetts, was christened in 1607. This is also where Shakespeare’s brother Edmund lies buried. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

I. The Monument
Designed by Christopher Wren and completed in 1677, to commemorate the Great Fire of London of 1666. The column stands 202ft (62m) high, the same distance as from the starting point of the fire in Pudding Lane. It is also the tallest freestanding stone column in the world. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

K. Custom House
Headquarters of HM Customs and Excise, the present building is the fifth on this site, the first dating back to the 14th century when all wool brought into London was weighed and taxed there. It was this Wool Tax that enabled Henry II to contribute to the building of London Bridge. In the text above you can read about... a memorial to the big fire in London in the 17th century? a place where you can see a play and have a meal? a place where Londoners had to pay to cross the river? a monument given to the English, in memory of a victory at sea? a church built in place of another one? buildings whose architects never saw the final result of their work? the founder of an American place of learning? tax money that was used to build a famous bridge? a monument whose first site was in another country? a construction, whose name is connected with a monastic order? an exact copy of an older building? a building that was destroyed in the 19th century?

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Texting
The stripped-down form of writing that goes with texting has been with us for more than 120 years, dismissing claims that standards of English are declining. Abbreviations like ‘hw r u’ and ‘I’m pty wl’ were already common in telegraphic communication. A newspaper magazine noted in 1890: “Telegraphers use abbreviations to say considerably more in a certain period of time”.
1 What is said about texting?
Choose one It is not a present-day innovation It is criticised by many historians It is considered to be poor language It is not fashionable with reporters

Fanatic
A Julia Roberts fanatic has tattooed his body with 82 images of her face, spending a small fortune. It started after he watched her in Erin Brockovich, a film about a legal assistant who brings down a US energy company single handedly. The actress is pictured in artwork inspired by film scenes. As long as he has the space on his body, his tribute will continue, he says.
2 This text is about...
Choose one an unusual souvenir a well-known movie an expensive interest a talented photographer

Nutcrackers
When it comes to birdbrained ideas, the Japanese crow has set a cracking pace. In Japan, learner drivers are not allowed out on to the roads until they have passed their driving tests. Before that, they practise in a sort of grownup miniature park and the crows have discovered that if they drop walnuts from above the cars and fly down after them, the cars crack open the nuts. The traffic is slow-moving enough for them to land and pick up the pieces.
3 Another suitable title for this item would be...
Choose one Traffic Problems Clever Birds Japanese Theme Park Driving Tests
4 In Japan the learner drivers have to...
Choose one pick up pieces of walnuts crack crow nuts practise braking gently train in a special area

Bruno the Swan
There once was an ugly duckling, but when this particular bird grew into a handsome swan he was not admired for his beauty, but feared for his viciousness. Bruno, a black swan from Australia, was obtained as a substitute for another swan killed by a fox. He soon began to make his presence felt by attacking patients, nurses and doctors at Conquest Hospital. Soon, anyone passing the lake on the grounds of the hospital at Hastings, East Sussex, became his victim and warning signs were put up. After Bruno was given a final chance, he went for the former mayor of nearby Rye, Robert Beckwith, who said: “The bird attacked me from behind and hauled me to the ground. It was very powerful so I kicked it in the chest to get it off. It then chased others around the lake and nurses had to help them escape.” Bruno and his mate have now been removed to a sanctuary at Egham, Surrey. The hospital is to replace them with two hand-reared swans.
5 Another suitable title for the text is…
Choose one The Ugly Black Swan The Fate of a Savage Swan Swan Saved by Mayor Swan Attacked by Doctor
6 What is true about Bruno?
Choose one He is a character in a fairy tale He fought with his mates He was nasty to people He was nearly killed by a fox
7 What happened to Bruno in the end?
Choose one He was taken to an animal refuge He was chased off the hospital grounds He was put to sleep at Egham He escaped to the other side of the lake

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Lucky Pet
Jerry, a 12-month-old tabby cat, survived a 15-minute spin after climbing inside a tumble dryer at its owner’s home in Selly Oak, Birmingham.
1 The text is about…
Choose one a purring kitten an adventure in the laundry room a cat that can do funny tricks a pet that escaped from home

Noisy Device
An underwater device which makes loud noises is the latest invention salmon farmers have introduced to keep seals away from their fish cages. However, seals are pretty smart, and once they have discovered the noise is associated with a salmon farm, it is a signal saying, “It’s mealtime”.
2 It is suggested that…
Choose one salmon have to be fed at fixed hours fish farming is a business in difficulty seals do not prefer salmon to other fish a device does not serve its purpose

Gardening
Commercial flower growers are planting trip wires and alarms in daffodil beds to combat gangs of snatchers who clear fields overnight.
3 The text is about...
Choose one gardeners protecting flowers fast-growing daffodils means of controlling insects friendly flower pickers

Smart Chimps
Sharing food may be a generous act, but there is often something in it for the sharer as well. It can be used to gain favors, pursue a potential partner, or even to show off. It’s true for chimpanzees as well as people, only what chimps share isn’t a big box of candy. Researchers from the University of Stirling in Scotland observed chimps in the West African country of Guinea for two years. In 58 of 59 instances of food sharing, male chimps shared food stolen from nearby farms, including papaya, oranges and cassava. And in most cases, they offered some of the loot to a female chimp of reproductive age. Researchers add that the chimps may also be showing off by stealing the food, perhaps as a way to intimidate other males with their bold behavior. Further study may provide insight into the evolution of food sharing among humans as to how we got to the point where sharing a box of chocolates helps build social relationships.
4 Why might some chimps share food?
Choose one They want others to join them for raids They want to keep the troop together They may want to threaten older males They might want to attract a female
5. What parallels are made in the text between chimps and humans?
Choose one They prefer fruit and chocolate to meat They don’t mind sharing sweets They use food to impress others They like locally produced food

Tasty Gum
Four mornings a week, Sue McNamara sits in a spotless room in a lab coat, chews gum, and talks about how it tastes. McNamara is a gum taster at a commercial science and technology center in Whippany, N.J. “I have lawyer friends who tell me they want my job,” she says. But these are not easy jobs to get. Only ten percent of Americans are able to distinguish, say, between strawberry flavors that are green, gritty, or jammy, and the nearly 70 other ingredients in a wad of chewing gum. The company weeds out hundreds of candidates in finding its tasters. Those who make the cut undergo six months of training to learn the terminology and measurement techniques used to evaluate gum.
6 What is said about a particular job?
Choose one It attracts many people It is not difficult to get Legal experience is required Applicants take an exam

Food For Thought
Farmers in the UK have expressed concern over the number of children in both rural and urban areas that have a complete lack of knowledge about where their food comes from before it arrives at the shops. Keith Siddorn, who gives tours to children on his farm, said that a lot of children could not identify where the animal pork comes from and many get confused about how beef and milk can both come from cows. “They don't even know whether a carrot is grown in the ground or on a tree. As far as they know, their food comes in a plastic bag from the shop and after that it is very blurred for them,” said Siddorn.
7 What is said in the text?
Choose one Guided tours of farms are popular with young people Educational standards are falling in villages and towns Little seems to be known about the origin of food Large numbers of shops are environmentally friendly

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1.The magic of MARTA ‒ your experience with the fine rapid transit system begins at the airport and goes on to serve you with 40 rail miles and 33 stations in metropolitan Atlanta. Winner of the safest Transit System in America award for 16 years, MARTA also provides 678 buses covering more than 1,500 miles. Kiosks at 11 rail stations provide timetable information in English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

2.Indoor highlights ‒ the walkway inside the High Museum of Art spirals upward through the floors of American works. Special Olympic Games exhibit, Rings: Five Passions in World Art features 100 objects by renowned master artists of the world. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

3.Where to see a dinosaur ‒ the Fernbank Museum of Natural History spotlights a lifesize stegosaurus and friends, as well as a walk through time, telling the story of Georgia ecology including high-tech displays of its landscape. An excellent family outing. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

4.Window on the world ‒ behind-thescenes tours of CNN allow a peek at live programmes being beamed around the globe. An exclusive opportunity to go inside the state-of-the-art HD Studio 7, where most of CNN’s daytime broadcasting takes place. Tip: Buy tickets early for the 45-minute walkthrough because numbers are limited. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

5.A place to spot Scarlett ‒ the Road to Tara Museum blends background on the classic movie Gone with the Wind as well as on the original novel and its creator, Margaret Mitchell. The museum is housed in the building where the cast stayed for the 1939 movie premiere. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

6.Stroll through a neighbourhood ‒ the area called Virginia Highlands boasts trendy shops with the big designers on their racks, swank eateries, and mingling Atlantans. Why not stop in one of the small restaurants and try eating southern grits? More Southern than the Confederacy itself, this white, grainy food made from hominy (boiled whole grain corn) looks suspicious but try it anyway. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

7.“Naked dogs” ‒ The Varsity, a fastfood stop in downtown, specializes in frankfurters (“dogs”) with chili. The “naked dog” is actually the frank without the chili, a “yellow dog” comes with mustard. “Two dogs traveling sideways” means two takeout franks with onions on the side. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

8.Find out ‒ the Welcome South Visitors Center, at the corner of Spring and International Streets, answers your travel needs with displays on Southern states, help with tickets and travel plans, and currency exchange. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

9. Humanitarian moments ‒ the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site includes his Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Center for Nonviolent Social Change. King’s tomb lies outside. Close by the site is The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum which features memorabilia from Carter’s time in office and the opportunity to enter a recreated Oval Office from the White House. This alternative suits me if I... want to try traditional Southern food would like to know more about a famous author need to eat in a hurry like to look at paintings are curious to see how broadcasting is done want to honour a prominent equal rights leader need to travel around in the city would like some good tips for tourists have an interest in the latest fashion want to know more about the political history of the USA are interested in the past and present local environment want to make excursions in the American South

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