Unique country
The world first discovered China through the writings of adventurer Marco Polo more than 700 years ago. Ever since, this large Asian country has come to be regarded as the embodiment of everything that is mysterious and exotic. Even now, A_______________________, this vast country has lost none of its attraction. Indeed, the contrast between China’s ancient customs and the new ultra-modern state has only increased the fascination with its culture B_______________________.
It is a culture that is much celebrated by the Chinese themselves, as evidenced by the preservation of such important historic sites as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing, C_______________________. And then, there is the famous Great Wall of China, D_______________________ from the Yellow Sea to Central Asia. Its countless shrines demonstrate the spirit of age-old Eastern religions. The cities of the Middle Kingdom, E_______________________ of over a million, and the coastal provinces, are today enjoying a soaring economic boom.
Thanks to its size, China is a great tourist destination. It offers limitless scope for exploration. Whether people choose to travel aboard a luxury cruise ship, F_______________________, this country is full of incredible experiences and sightseeing opportunities. China has something for every taste and all the essential ingredients for an unforgettable holiday in a beautiful country.
1. after many decades of economic growth
2. more than 50 of which have populations
3. that dates back more than 5000 years
4. winding for 6,700 kilometres all the way
5. each recalling the days of China’s emperors
6. or during the latest years of economic boom
7. or seek out the peace of an ancient temple
Ответ:
A
B
C
D
E
F
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.
Save a gap year until you graduate?
Taking a gap year after your graduation exams has gone out of fashion. It could be down to its notoriety, now that voluntourism schemes are widely considered self-serving. And then of course there’s the cost, which many students are avoiding in favour of travelling for a month or two. “A lot of my friends take the mick out of me saying, ‘Oh, you went to Cambodia on a gap year’,” says Beth Adams, 21, who studied politics and international relations at the University of Manchester, and took a year out after graduating. “You do feel like you’re fulfilling a stereotype a bit.”
According to researchers, the number of people deferring their university places has gone down from 8% in 2002 to around 5% last year. Instead of postponing university study, many graduates are taking a year out after receiving their degree. According to a survey carried out by YouGov and London Stansted airport, more young people are taking a gap year after university, and almost half of UK adults believe job prospects are enhanced by combining travel and learning. So is it better to save your gap year until after graduating?
Definitely, when you’ve been in education for all those years, where your life is September to July, a break is a good idea. You can recharge your batteries and see the world outside the classroom. You can practise foreign languages and improve your communication skills. You have time to figure things out and a year of being able to work on different projects. As a result, you may land in a job in the industry you like.
Although some take a gap year after university because they have a job lined up and managed to delay their start date, most are yet to secure work and are biding their time. It’s a common misconception that such individuals immediately go abroad to volunteer or travel. In reality, students don’t have the funds to do this. Many prefer to stay in their country juggling internships and part-time work.
For those who do go abroad, a gap-year stint volunteering is no longer merely a way for middle-class kids to boost their CVs. Graduates say they are making more considered choices. The practical experience of working abroad helps some of them get ready for a master’s, which is something they do not have time to do during their finals.
Graduates are also using gap years to explore different career routes. According to recruitment firm Tempo, more than half of students feel there is too much emphasis placed on graduate schemes when starting out in their career. Elena Ricci, 23, who graduated from the University of Southampton last year, agrees. “After I finished my degree, I didn’t really know what to do. So I worked for a law firm for a month, and then I went to Cambodia on a placement. If I had gone straight into a grad job, I don’t think I would have been happy,” she says.
Although graduates can bring great skills to volunteering and enhance their employability, there are some risks attached. “You are delaying your career or further study for a year and some employers may not get why you’ve done it,” says Manuel Otero, a senior lecturer in social sciences at Cardiff University who specialises in the link between education and work. His advice is not to stand still. It makes sense to work out what to do, and one of the best ways to find out what to do is to try it out.
After her year abroad, Ricci has now decided to start a master’s in September. She says graduates should ignore stereotypes and do what works for them. So, do what you want, regardless of what others might say. It’s up to you to decide. What works out for others may not work out for you, and vice versa. You never know till you try.
12 Why is taking a gap year going out of fashion, according to Beth Adams?
1) It is boring.
2) It is quite expensive.
3) It is too long.
4) It is pointless.
Ответ:
13 Deferring in Paragraph 2 most probably means …
1) rejecting.
2) delaying.
3) getting.
4) choosing.
Ответ:
14 Which advantage of a gap year is NOT mentioned in the text?
1) Understanding what you want.
2) Experiencing a different culture.
3) Becoming better at languages.
4) Having a rest and getting new impressions.
Ответ:
15 Such individuals in Paragraph 4 (“It’s a common misconception that such individuals immediately go abroad …”) refers to …
1) She had a vision of her future job.
2) She worked abroad for some time.
3) She worked for a firm for a short time.
