People (1) ... in the Amazon Basin for 10,000 years when it was "first discovered” by a Spaniard called Don Francisco de Orellana in 1542. He (2) ... for forests of cinnamon and, of course, gold. The Indians promised the Europeans that there was gold because they knew that as long as the Spaniards needed them as guides, the Indians were safe. In fact it was nearly a year before Orellana and his team finally (3) ... the junction of the Napo and Amazon rivers. Originally the new river (4) ... Rio de Orellana after its European discoverer. Although the Spaniards didn't find any gold, they did find the greatest river in the world. However, today we (5) ... the wonderful Amazon rainforests and it (6) ... that the last remaining rainforests could be destroyed in less than 40 years. Moreover, nearly half of the world’s species of plants, animals and microorganisms (7) ... over the next 25 years due to rainforest deforestation.

Most people take time off work to travel, but for Ian Wright making a living requires travelling. Ian, who (1) ... around the world many times, is one of the presenters of Globe Trekker  — a popular TV series which (2) ... the sights and sounds of different countries.

Since he (3) ... the job as a presenter on British TV, Ian (4) ... in over 50 episodes of the show, visiting countries like Ethiopia, Cambodia, Jamaica and Iran. On his travels, Ian often (5) ... local food and sometimes exposes himself to danger. Once, while filming in the Pacific, he (6) ... by a block of lava. "In Vanuatu we visited the most accessible volcano of the world. It erupted every ten minutes, spitting out lava all over the crater. It was unbelievable  — until the wind changed. A piece of lava landed two meters away from my head. And we ran crying like babies."

Although Ian (7) ... Globe Trekker episodes for many years, he is as enthusiastic as ever!

People (1) ... in the Amazon Basin for 10,000 years when it was "first discovered” by a Spaniard called Don Francisco de Orellana in 1542. He (2) ... for forests of cinnamon and, of course, gold. The Indians promised the Europeans that there was gold because they knew that as long as the Spaniards needed them as guides, the Indians were safe. In fact it was nearly a year before Orellana and his team finally (3) ... the junction of the Napo and Amazon rivers. Originally the new river (4) ... Rio de Orellana after its European discoverer. Although the Spaniards didn't find any gold, they did find the greatest river in the world. However, today we (5) ... the wonderful Amazon rainforests and it (6) ... that the last remaining rainforests could be destroyed in less than 40 years. Moreover, nearly half of the world’s species of plants, animals and microorganisms (7) ... over the next 25 years due to rainforest deforestation.

In the early 19th century an amazing thing happened in America. Nearly half a million people left their homes and headed West along what was called 'the Oregon Trail', a path across the country to California and Oregon. The men and women (1) ... from poverty and hardship in the East. How did they find out about the opportunities that existed in the West? It seems that travellers who (2) ... there on trading expeditions brought back stories of warmer winters and of good farming land that was being given away by the government. Then, in 1849, news (3) ... that men (4) ... gold in California. In the early 1850s, people (5) ... to reach the West. On the journey, they met many dangers. Many settlers didn't reach the West alive. But change (6) ... to the American West. By 1870, a new railway (7) ... and the Oregon Trail had become a part of history.

Tom Wilson is an explorer. He (1) ... to nearly every country in the world, but the most exciting time he (2) ... was when he went to the Congo jungle. He (3) ... by a magazine to retrace the route of a famous explorer who disappeared in the 1920's. As he (4) ... a small river he got separated from his guides. He went on alone, hoping he (5) ... them, but instead he encountered a group of natives. He stayed with them for several days and found out that a very old woman (6) ... the famous explorer. She knew how he had died. Tom became very friendly with the natives and now he (7) ... to go back and see them again. He is sure they (8) ... him back.

Most people take time off work to travel, but for Ian Wright making a living requires travelling. Ian, who (1) ... around the world many times, is one of the presenters of Globe Trekker  — a popular TV series which (2) ... the sights and sounds of different countries.

Since he (3) ... the job as a presenter on British TV, Ian (4) ... in over 50 episodes of the show, visiting countries like Ethiopia, Cambodia, Jamaica and Iran. On his travels, Ian often (5) ... local food and sometimes exposes himself to danger. Once, while filming in the Pacific, he (6) ... by a block of lava. "In Vanuatu we visited the most accessible volcano of the world. It erupted every ten minutes, spitting out lava all over the crater. It was unbelievable  — until the wind changed. A piece of lava landed two meters away from my head. And we ran crying like babies."

Although Ian (7) ... Globe Trekker episodes for many years, he is as enthusiastic as ever!

Dear Catherine,

Thanks for your letter. It was great to hear from you. I hope your exams are over now and you're happy with the results. I've just had an awful weekend. We (1) ... to go camping, but in the end all our plans fell down because of our car. Everything was fine on Saturday morning when we set out, and we had no problems for the first half of our journey. Unfortunately, just before lunch, the car (2) ... down. My Dad tried several times to call for help, but the number (3) ... . In the end he gave up and we ate the picnic my Mum (4) ... that morning. After lunch my Dad decided to go and get help with my brother, so I stayed behind with my mother. We soon fell asleep in the car. When we woke up it (5) ... late and my Dad and my brother had still not come back. We started to get very worried about them. Just then they turned up in a van, which (6) ... our car to a garage. We went home in a taxi which had been following the van. I hope you had a better weekend than me. Please write soon and tell me what you (7) ... .

Best wishes,

Millie

Planning a holiday has never been easier. You can simply go (1) ... online and a wealth of information is available to you. You can find the most economical air fare and compare hotels before you book into one. You can even save money by booking (2) ... advance, for both your flight and your accommodation. (3) ... addition, you have the benefit of reading the reviews and opinions of fellow travellers. Less than 20 years ago, before the Internet, that just wasn’t possible. Travellers required the services of a travel agent who would make all the arrangements on their behalf. Whether it was backpacking around the world or going (4) ... a two-week package tour with a detailed itinerary, everything was left in the hands of the travel professional. And they can still be helpful these days. Instead of spending hours on the Internet reading through the sea of online reviews, you can make for a travel agency and save valuable time.

Sociologists have been carrying (1) ... research into the social pressures of being a teenager. Many adolescents are unhappy at school because they find it difficult to make friends. This stress can bring on illness or result (2) ... poor grades. They may also worry about their appearance and often feel under enormous pressure to dress, talk and behave the same as others. This phenomenon is called peer pressure, and it is very common in today's society. Advertising contributes a lot (3) ... the social pressures teenagers feel. Advertisers know how important it is to feel that you belong (4) ... a group when you are in your teens, so they try to persuade teenagers that certain products will make them popular (5) ... their classmates.

Dear David,

You'll never guess what's happened  — I've got a job! I saw an advert (1) ... an administrative assistant at London Insurance, and sent in my CV, more (2) ... curiosity than anything else. Well, to my surprise, I got an interview, and I managed to convince them that insurance is (3) ... very career path I intend to pursue. Apparently, they were impressed with my ambition, especially when I said I was looking for the job (4) ... good promotion prospects, and (5) ... week later I was offered the job. They seem to look after you well  — for example, I was told to send in a claims form so that they could pay (6) ... my travel expenses to the interview. Little things like that make all (7) ... difference. So I'm actually starting work on Monday David, why don't you apply? They take (8) ... 20 new graduates each year. It would be right up your street.

Best wishes,

Dan

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

I think the computer is such (1) ... useful invention. Take e-mail, for example. It is a very easy way to write letters. When I was younger, I rarely ever put pen to (2) ... paper, not even to say 'thank you' for presents sent by my relatives. Now, though, you can't keep me away (3) ... the keyboard. I can spend hours typing away (4) ... my computer, all types of messages to all types of people. One of (5) ... worst disadvantages for me of writing (6) ... hand was always the embarrassment of knowing that people would criticise my untidy handwriting and careless spelling. Now thanks (7) ... the spell-check, I can easily edit my letters. Teenagers nowadays take all this (8) ... granted, they don't realise how fortunate they are.

Every October I like to go to France (1) ... my holidays. Last year I visited the Loire Valley and I had the best two weeks of my life. I had such (2) ... good fun I cried when it was time to leave. When I arrived (3) ... Calais, the sun was shining and I was glad I had decided to go (4) ... camping. There are lots of campsites in the Loire, and I found a small one near a beautiful castle. King Louis XIV had (5) ... castle built in order to impress a princess he wanted to marry, but she rejected him for an English Duke. I fell in love with (6) ... place at once. Although October is late (7) ... camping, there were quite a lot of people staying there. It was highly recommended in my guidebook and a friend of mine had also suggested to go to that particular site. Most of the other campers were around (8) ... my age and I made friends with several of them. Six of us have agreed to meet there again next year for another great holiday.

I got woken up today by my daughter screaming, "Dad... it's snowing... it's snowing!" She just couldn't believe it  — not surprising as they said (1) ... the news that it hasn't snowed here for nearly 50 years! We decided not to send her to school, and we had (2) ... great time  — we even made a snowman (3) ... the backyard. We used dried cranberries for the eyes and a baby carrot for the nose because it was a baby snowman. People are so amazed (4) ... the weather that I have seen some of them just standing there staring as if they were in a trance. It looks like the work of a skillful decorator for a movie. It was chaos, though, for people going to work, a whole load of trucks were stuck (5) ... the snow. And it's been (6) ... very bad news (7) ... the citrus trees  — they're all frozen. Even if (8) ... snow melts tomorrow, the damage is already done. So I'm afraid we won't be eating any local oranges this year!

§ 1. The Slimden Music Festival is one of the longest-running musical festivals in the UK. Founded in 1978, Slimden is a week-long festival for young musicians under the age of sixteen. There are children of all ages and they can play every instrument you can imagine. It really is something to see them arriving with their trumpets, guitars and drum sets. There’s a sense of excitement in the air. Everyone knows this is going to be a special week which could help them launch a professional career.

§ 2. All of these kids are promising musicians who have managed to catch the attention of a team of musical experts. All of them have been recommended by someone who has noticed their talent. Their performances have been recorded and sent to the team of experts, who decide which lucky youngster will get a place. Every year, more than ten thousand people apply, but only five hundred are chosen.

§ 3. With that level of competition, standards are obviously high. No one is likely to get a place without making a serious effort. All of them are still at school and they are expected to spend seven or eight hours a day on their academic studies. However, to get this good at their instruments, they must also dedicate several hours a day to practice. This means that they have little time for socialising. Fortunately, the organisers realise this and they make sure that there are plenty of chances to have some fun. There are daily trips to places of interest and there’s a disco every night.

§ 4. Fourteen-year-old Blanca picked up the flute when she was six and has been a member of her school orchestra for a couple of years. Her teacher thought she had something special and suggested that she apply for a place. Blanca couldn’t decide whether to go or not, but now she’s here, you can’t help noticing her enthusiasm.

§ 5. Many of the children at Slimden are looking forward to playing side-by-side with some of the most famous classical musicians and directors in the country. «This is my second festival and I want to be spotted by one of the musical directors», says Luigi, «I learnt a lot the last time I came and I’ve spent the last year developing those skills. I hope someone notices me and that I get offered a place in the national orchestra».

§ 6. Over the week, the children take part in various workshops and work on learning new pieces of music. They’ve also benefited from personal feedback from the professionals and had a laugh with their new friends. Everyone’s had an incredible time.

Many people think sheep aren’t very intelligent creatures. But in fact, (1) ... to new research, they may be cleverer than we think. For example, sheep can actually be trained to recognise human faces from photographs! Recognising faces is an important human social (2) .... However, it (3) ... that sheep are also social animals that can recognise other sheep as well as familiar humans. In experiments, researchers trained eight sheep to recognise the faces of celebrities from photographs. Training (4) ... getting the sheep to (5) ... decisions about the photos they saw. At one end of a room, they would see two different photographs, and would receive a (6) ... of food for coming up to the photograph of the celebrity; if they (7) ... the wrong photograph, they got nothing. Over time, they learned to (8) ... getting food with the celebrity’s photograph. And after training, the sheep correctly chose the celebrity's face eight times out of ten!

§ 1. Tony and Maureen Wheeler have spent more than forty years travelling and recording their experiences in one of the world's most popular guidebook series. The Lonely Planet books were the first of a new type of travel guide. The appeal for young travellers was clear: expensive hotels wrere not mentioned, which attracted those managing on a limited budget. The books also emphasised the importance of spending time in a country and taking the time to get to know other cultures.

§ 2. So how did it all start? Tony and Maureen decided to drive from London to Asia in 1972, and bought a second-hand van which, with all the repairs it required during the trip, reflects their approach to life: a tendency to make decisions spontaneously and a willingness to cheerfully adapt to the highs and lows of travel. The couple started writing down tips on where to stay and how to survive, often in places far away from big cities. Eventually, they realised people might pay for such information, and so they produced their first book.

§ 3. In the early days, the main selling point was that they produced guidebooks to places nobody else investigated, but times have changed. ‘We started doing guidebooks on Asian countries which in those days didn’t get much attention. Today, when our writers cover almost everywhere, our size and experience are probably our main advantages,’ Tony explains.

§ 4. Lonely Planet also relies on reader feedback. According to Tony, ‘Complaints from readers are often beyond our control; prices go up, places close, standards drop (or sometimes improve). Keeping up to date is the key. If one of our researchers has been inaccurate, then we’re going to have to improve that book. Complaints from hotels or restaurants may be because they don’t like what we have written about them, although we try not to pull a place to pieces if we don’t have to.’

§ 5. It is not surprising that the Wheelers have strong views on how to choose suitable holidays. ‘First of all, ask yourself what your interests are. If you are interested in culture, this will affect where you go. Then you might consider how much time you have and what the options are for getting there and travelling around. I think you need to honestly consider what level of stress you can stand  — do you really want excitement or moments of discomfort? Some people just want to relax! And keep in mind that it’s not always necessary to take long trips; you should only travel for as long as you’re happy to be travelling.’

According to a recent study, your personality could determine how likely you are to be (1) ... in an accident. In fact, it could be the most important (2) ... behind around a quarter of all mishaps. The (3) ... have found that there are three key personality traits that can (4) ... some people more accident prone than others. Firstly, high t levels of aggressiveness or selfishness may (5) ... people more at risk of having accidents as individuals with these characteristics are often highly competitive and therefore more likely to not follow instructions and to (6) ... rules. It also seems that those who have very open personalities may also have more accidents as these kinds of people can be dreamy and (7) ... concentration. Finally, people who aren’t very dependable or (8)... may also be more at risk. Not everyone, however, agrees with the study’s (9) ... . A spokesperson for an accident prevention organisation said: “We must (10) ... responsibility for our actions and educate people to prevent accidents instead of blaming our personalities.”

§ 1. Tony and Maureen Wheeler have spent more than forty years travelling and recording their experiences in one of the world's most popular guidebook series. The Lonely Planet books were the first of a new type of travel guide. The appeal for young travellers was clear: expensive hotels wrere not mentioned, which attracted those managing on a limited budget. The books also emphasised the importance of spending time in a country and taking the time to get to know other cultures.

§ 2. So how did it all start? Tony and Maureen decided to drive from London to Asia in 1972, and bought a second-hand van which, with all the repairs it required during the trip, reflects their approach to life: a tendency to make decisions spontaneously and a willingness to cheerfully adapt to the highs and lows of travel. The couple started writing down tips on where to stay and how to survive, often in places far away from big cities. Eventually, they realised people might pay for such information, and so they produced their first book.

§ 3. In the early days, the main selling point was that they produced guidebooks to places nobody else investigated, but times have changed. ‘We started doing guidebooks on Asian countries which in those days didn’t get much attention. Today, when our writers cover almost everywhere, our size and experience are probably our main advantages,’ Tony explains.

§ 4. Lonely Planet also relies on reader feedback. According to Tony, ‘Complaints from readers are often beyond our control; prices go up, places close, standards drop (or sometimes improve). Keeping up to date is the key. If one of our researchers has been inaccurate, then we’re going to have to improve that book. Complaints from hotels or restaurants may be because they don’t like what we have written about them, although we try not to pull a place to pieces if we don’t have to.’

§ 5. It is not surprising that the Wheelers have strong views on how to choose suitable holidays. ‘First of all, ask yourself what your interests are. If you are interested in culture, this will affect where you go. Then you might consider how much time you have and what the options are for getting there and travelling around. I think you need to honestly consider what level of stress you can stand  — do you really want excitement or moments of discomfort? Some people just want to relax! And keep in mind that it’s not always necessary to take long trips; you should only travel for as long as you’re happy to be travelling.’

Do you ever wish you were more optimistic? Having someone around who always (1) ... the worst isn't really a lot of fun  — we all know someone who sees a single cloud on a sunny day and says, "It (2) ... like rain." But if you catch yourself thinking such things, it's important to do something about it. You can change your view of life, according to psychologists. It only takes a little (3) ..., and you'll find life more rewarding as a result. Optimism, they say, is partly about self-respect and confidence but it's also a more positive way of looking at life and all it has to (4) ... . Optimists are more likely to start new projects and are generally more prepared to (5) ... risks. Upbringing is obviously very important in forming your (6) ... to the world. Some people are brought up to (7) ... too much on others and grow up forever blaming other people when anything (8) ... wrong. Most optimists, on the other hand, have been brought up not to regard failure as the end of the world  — they just (9) ... with their lives.

It's hard to find a place to eat which satisfies the whole family. I remember my parents taking me as a child to the most (1) ... restaurant they could find. They didn't think it was worth spending a lot of money on someone who had notable manners. Today the choice of restaurants is so great, however, that total (2) ... is rare. It's difficult to explain exactly what I am looking for in a restaurant. It's certainly not (3) ... surroundings, although I must admit that I'm usually (4) ... to go into a place that looks dirty.

York is (1) ... one of the most interesting cities in Britain. It is a very well-preserved walled city which has seen over 2,000 years of eventful history. However, York is also a modern city with an excellent shopping centre and plenty of clubs and other places of (2) ... for those who like to stay out late. Any visit to York would be (3) ... without going to the Minster, York's Cathedral, a wonderful example of Gothic architecture on the grand scale. The Minster supposedly took 250 years to finish. One of its most impressive sights is the stained glass Rose Window, which looks particulary magnificent on a fine, (4) ... day.

The Airport Express service has been in full operation for the past three weeks. This train service takes you from the centre of the city to the airport very (1) ... (RAPID) and at a very reasonable price. The carriages are comfortable and (2) ... (SPACE) but food and drink is (3) ... (AVAIL) because the journey is short. There is an on-board television service with informaticm-about flights and airport facilities. In (4) ... (ADD), the train has telephones for passengers to use. Many travellers are already choosing the train in preference to a long and tiring journey by car or taxi.

A plant doesn’t need water unless its leaves are (1) ... drooping, but it’s important to have some (2) ... around the roots, so keep the soil damp. Don’t overfeed plants, as this results in unhealthily rapid (3) ... It will be necessary for you to re-pot your plants (4) ..., in order to give them more space; the best time to do this is when the roots begin to grow up the side of the pot.

Madame Tussaud's is London's (1) ... visited tourist attraction, with over two and a half million visitors a year. There are as (2) ... as 400 models on display. Each one is worth over £20,000, that's (3) ... security is very strict there.

Surveys show that more and (1) ... young people plan to work a great (2) ... longer than people did in the past. In fact, the majority expect to continue working beyond the most typical retirement age of 65. The reasons are that most people’s pension won’t be worth as much (3) ... it is now and we are living longer now. Some companies are also looking for more experienced employees because they already understand the needs of business and they are often better (4) ... their younger colleagues at jobs which require greater concentration.

The Ryder Cup is a famous golf tournament and it is now (1) ... of the biggest events in sport. Tickets regularly sell out within hours after going on sale. (2) ... makes it different from other golf tournaments is that it involves teams rather (3) ... individuals, with Europe competing against the USA. (4) ... is no prize money, but emotions run high. The players enjoy experiencing again the original feelings that made them take up the sport in the first place.

Until recently, very (1) ... people went cycling, but over the last few years more bikes have been sold in Britain (2) ... cars. Now approximately two million bicycles (3) ... bought each year, the majority of which are mountain bikes. (4) ... are about 500 models to choose from and the prices vary enormously.

1.  TV documentary maker and environmental Campaigner Sir David Attenborough has perhaps done it

2.  more rather than any other British person to educate the public about the natural world. Fascinated

3.  by animals since its childhood, he did a degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, and

4.  a few years quite later became a trainee producer at the BBC. In the 1950s, he was one of the

5.  first people to film animals in their own habitats for television, and far quickly got a lot of positive

6.  attention because of the quality of his programmes. To being reward Attenborough for his excellence,

7.  the BBC offered him a job such as the head of one of its TV channels, but he wasn’t interested.

8.  In 1972, he returned to programme-making, and travelled the world as well his projects became

9.  even more ambitious. A number of newly discovered both plant, insect and bird species have been

10.  named in his own honour. He’s thought to be one of the most well-travelled people on the planet.

1.  TV documentary maker and environmental Campaigner Sir David Attenborough has perhaps done it

2.  more rather than any other British person to educate the public about the natural world. Fascinated

3.  by animals since its childhood, he did a degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, and

4.  a few years quite later became a trainee producer at the BBC. In the 1950s, he was one of the

5.  first people to film animals in their own habitats for television, and far quickly got a lot of positive

6.  attention because of the quality of his programmes. To being reward Attenborough for his excellence,

7.  the BBC offered him a job such as the head of one of its TV channels, but he wasn’t interested.

8.  In 1972, he returned to programme-making, and travelled the world as well his projects became

9.  even more ambitious. A number of newly discovered both plant, insect and bird species have been

10.  named in his own honour. He’s thought to be one of the most well-travelled people on the planet.

1.  TV documentary maker and environmental Campaigner Sir David Attenborough has perhaps done it

2.  more rather than any other British person to educate the public about the natural world. Fascinated

3.  by animals since its childhood, he did a degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, and

4.  a few years quite later became a trainee producer at the BBC. In the 1950s, he was one of the

5.  first people to film animals in their own habitats for television, and far quickly got a lot of positive

6.  attention because of the quality of his programmes. To being reward Attenborough for his excellence,

7.  the BBC offered him a job such as the head of one of its TV channels, but he wasn’t interested.

8.  In 1972, he returned to programme-making, and travelled the world as well his projects became

9.  even more ambitious. A number of newly discovered both plant, insect and bird species have been

10.  named in his own honour. He’s thought to be one of the most well-travelled people on the planet.

1.  TV documentary maker and environmental Campaigner Sir David Attenborough has perhaps done it

2.  more rather than any other British person to educate the public about the natural world. Fascinated

3.  by animals since its childhood, he did a degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, and

4.  a few years quite later became a trainee producer at the BBC. In the 1950s, he was one of the

5.  first people to film animals in their own habitats for television, and far quickly got a lot of positive

6.  attention because of the quality of his programmes. To being reward Attenborough for his excellence,

7.  the BBC offered him a job such as the head of one of its TV channels, but he wasn’t interested.

8.  In 1972, he returned to programme-making, and travelled the world as well his projects became

9.  even more ambitious. A number of newly discovered both plant, insect and bird species have been

10.  named in his own honour. He’s thought to be one of the most well-travelled people on the planet.