Задание 12 ЕГЭ по английскому языку

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1. Задание 12

   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.
   Grown-ups and video games
   Even now, well into the third decade of the 21st century, we tend to view video games as a guilty pleasure. For anyone over the age of 25, they’re often something you sneak off to do when no one is at home. They’re a furtive treat, filled with the cultural equivalent of empty calories.
   Partly this is to do with how video games have been marketed for the last 30 years – predominantly at teenage boys. The games industry has taught us to see games as loud, brash and arcane. But the last years have seen a huge renaissance in video game design. The democratisation of the medium has brought in new voices and ideas. Fascinating things are happening. So here are reasons why, if you haven’t played many video games in the past, or still feel a little self-conscious about it, you should try more – and not feel bad about it.
   As the global economy shows few signs of drastically improving, getting the most out of our entertainment choices is important. Most titles have replayability features built in. Big adventure games are filled with sub-quests, hidden areas and collectible items that encourage and reward replay and exploration. Competitive multiplayer titles effectively function like sports – you play and improve over many months, discovering new skill sets and features. And of course, waiting a few weeks before buying a game, or looking out for sales will get you those experiences for even less money.
   A lot of the people now making, producing and funding television and movies grew up playing video games – and that influence is becoming ever more obvious. We’re now seeing the very structure, culture and design principles of games being expressed and explored in traditional narrative media. So playing video games is effectively preparing you for the future of broadcast media, and ensuring you understand what’s going on in the next season of your favourite television show.
   The popular stereotype of the lone gamer sitting in a bedroom staring at a screen was never particularly accurate, but now it is laughably out of date. Most titles have multiplayer components that let you easily play against other people online. We learn a lot about our friends through play, and how you cooperate on video game tasks is a pretty good indicator on how you will cope with real-life challenges. In short, video games will save your relationships. I’m only half joking.
   With the arrival of smartphones and tablets, games are more pervasive than ever. Children are now growing up expecting all screens to be interactive – a phenomenon that’s being referred to as “generation swipe.” They are using tablets in school, they’re being taught to code, and they’re creating apps. Playing together with kids is a way of meeting with your children in a domain they enjoy and feel comfortable with. It lets them take the lead; it lets them show you stuff. The skills are also transferable and can expand into the real world.
   Did I mention this? Games are fun. They provide fascinating worlds to explore and take part in, they let us do incredible, sometimes ugly things – without recourse or any external help. They test out intelligence and reaction; they posit weird futures and possibilities; they let us take control of lives and bodies that we could never own or experience. They are made by artists and visionaries, and they provide moments of utter transfixing beauty and resonance. These are valid forms of escape and experience; they tell us things.
   In the years of uncertainty and vast technological change, it is time to see video games alongside – and equal to – books, television and cinema as a popular imaginative medium. It is OK to play.

   According to paragraph 1, video games are seen by adults as a(n) …

   	1)	integral part of life.
   	2)	shameful delight.
   	3)	individual activity.
   	4)	part of culture.

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

2. Задание 12

   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.
   Living in a dorm
   Arriving in a dorm for the first time is a thrilling moment. Living independently away from home, being around so many new people – all that seems like an exciting adventure. However, finding yourself in a small space with a complete stranger (or several strangers) might be difficult at first. If you have ever shared a room with a sibling, you have some idea of it. But that isn’t enough, as students come from different backgrounds and have different family traditions, habits, and preferences. Their expectations and attitudes towards what is acceptable or what is not also vary widely.
   My first tip is to discuss the ground rules from the start. Sharing your expectations with your roommates can save you all a lot of trouble in the future. Discuss how shared and personal space will be kept, what items are okay to share and which are off-limits, when it is okay to invite visitors or overnight guests, what the study hours are, what the standard lights-out time is, if you should leave the room when your roommate has a call from home, etc. You might even get a set of rules written or printed out on a wall for reference. This may sound kind of lame, but believe me, you won’t regret doing it. This doesn’t mean that the rules are set in stone. Revise these policies and compromise if you feel something isn’t working for everyone in the room.
   If you have never shared a room, you might have a lot of arguments over chores. That’s why I advise you to assign the chores and discuss how you will keep the place tidy – and hold each other accountable if anything is amiss. Consider keeping a chore board, including washing dishes, sweeping/vacuuming the floor, taking the trash out, etc. Define what “clean” is for every one of you, and come to a definition that all the roommates can agree on. Take turns doing chores or distribute areas of responsibility – whichever suits you all. I used to live with a super-neat and house-proud girl who cleaned the room twice as often as I would. I tried to compensate by cooking for us, washing dishes, and taking the trash out. That worked for us, since everyone did what they liked most.
   Probably, the most important thing is to respect boundaries and privacy. The golden rule of communal living is “It never hurts to ask.” Thinking of inviting a classmate over for a cup of tea later than usual? Text your roommate to ask if it’s okay. Going to use the shower for 40 minutes straight for impromptu SPA treatments? Inform your roommate and ask if you can have a bathroom to yourself for all this time. Want to pick up and read their book? Ask. Planning a party in your room? Ask! Even if your roommate has never been against rowdy gatherings before, this time might be different. They might have an assignment deadline looming. You don’t want them to hate you while they sit in the corner with a sour face, frantically searching for paper writers for hire. This approach has another benefit. Your roommate is likely to mirror your behaviour. By asking them about something, you send them a message that such things should be asked of you, as well.
   And finally, plan bonding with your roommates. It’s always beneficial to get to know the people you are going to live with. Go and have a pizza together, organize a movie night in your room, go to a campus event, or pick any other activity you all will enjoy. You don’t necessarily have to become best friends. Sometimes roommates are just that – roommates. You can have different preferences and lifestyles. The important thing is to respect each other’s boundaries, have empathy, and be civil and cooperative.
   College flies by, so stay positive and don’t let anything spoil the experience for you.

   What experience is an advantage in adapting to a dorm life, according to the author?

   	1)	Staying away from parents.
   	2)	Taking it as an adventure.
   	3)	Having brothers or sisters.
   	4)	Avoiding having expectations.

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

3. Задание 12

   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.
   What it is really like to travel alone
   My wanderlust started with a Billy Joel song. Yes, some might say it is unwise to visit a city just because of a catchy tune. But that was how I made my way to Austria with only good old Billy as my travel buddy.
   In college, I took part in a spring work/study program in London. And while I loved the U.K. and my job working for a health website, what excited me most was the opportunity to travel. I spent my weekends visiting cafés in Barcelona with my roommates, and admiring Edinburgh accompanied by friends. But no one wanted to stay and explore Europe more extensively after our sixteen weeks were up. So, I decided to do it alone.
   I did not set out wanting to travel by myself. It is something that young women are discouraged from doing. My own mother was desperate to talk me out of the idea. “It’s dangerous for girls to travel by themselves,” she would warn me every time we spoke. I insisted that I knew women my age who had done it, and that I would be fine. My friends back home were skeptical, too. “Wait, no one’s going with you?” they would ask. No doubt they wondered who would be taking photos of me for my posts on the Internet.
   But after convincing them that just because I am a Millennial woman does not mean I have to be constantly surrounded by a team, I had to convince myself to believe it. The night before my departure I was terrified. While everyone else was flying back to the States, I would be on the Chunnel to Paris to start my two-week trip alone. The thought was disabling. I have always been a person who recharges with alone time, but this suddenly seemed like too much to take on, especially in unfamiliar places.
   The journey was liberating. While I was nervous that my first meal alone would be awkward, I was not tempted by the idea of eating takeout in my hostel room, either. So, I faced the fear. I slipped on my formal (albeit a bit wrinkled) jacket, channeled my inner Cool French Girl, and stepped out into the cool spring air of the Montmartre quarter. I was going to dinner.
   It ended up being one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. I savored the otherworldly steak frites for which the restaurant is famous, observed the elegant Parisian women adorned in their Saturday evening pearls, and even ordered in the language of love. I enjoyed my glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and devoured a plate of the most delicious eclairs in the entire City of Light. I had no fear of judgment by others, since no one knew me, nor did I know anyone.
   This freedom ended up being one of the most enjoyable aspects of my trip, and for once, that did not mean feeling guilty. I spent hours riding on a water bus in Venice. I decided not to climb the Duomo in Florence because it just seemed like too many stairs. I read for hours in the lush gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Though the trip was not without its uncomfortable moments, of course, my solo trip was not a mistake – for sure.
   I spent the final hours of my trip wandering around the gorgeous, pastel façade-lined streets of Vienna. About fifteen minutes prior to leaving, I pulled out my iPod and listened to “Vienna.” After the familiar piano trills, Billy’s familiar voice flooded in: “Slow down you crazy child,” he sang. “You’re so ambitious for a juvenile.” I began to cry – partially from exhaustion, perhaps, but mostly because the moment felt intensely profound. Here I was, in a city I had always escaped to in my mind through Billy’s song, closing out the most incredible experience of my life. A little crazy, a little ambitious. All me.

   Why did the author decide to travel alone?

   	1)	Her friends had job commitments.
   	2)	Her friends were unwilling to travel more widely.
   	3)	The author got tired of constant company.
   	4)	The author had a long vacation.

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

4. Задание 12

   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.
   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.

   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.

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

5. Задание 12

   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.
   Tablets out, imagination in
   In the heart of Silicon Valley is a nine-classroom school where employees of tech giants Google, Apple and Yahoo send their children. But despite its location in America’s digital centre, there is not an iPad, smartphone or screen in sight. The fact that parents working for the biggest technology companies are questioning the value of computers in education begs the question – is the futuristic dream of high-tech classrooms really in the best interests of the next generation?
   A global report by the OECD organisation suggests that there is no link between excessive use of computers and high results for reading, maths and science. What is more, those students who use tablets and computers often tend to do worse than students who use them less frequently.
   Beverly Amico from the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America explains that their teachers encourage students to learn subjects by expressing themselves through artistic activities such as painting and drawing, rather than consuming information downloaded onto a tablet. The idea is to get rid of the distraction of electronic media and to encourage stronger communication between teacher and pupil during lessons.
   Amico claims one of the reasons parents who work in the digital industry are choosing a low-tech, no-tech education for their children is that it teaches students innovative thinking skills. And these are what many employers desire. She adds that students weaned on technology often lack the ability to think outside the box and solve problems.
   Sarah Thorne, head of the London Acorn school, also questions the belief that limiting or removing the use of technology in class will make the students less competitive on the job market.
   Students under the age of 12 at the school in Morden, London, are banned from using smartphones and computers, and watching TV or films at all times, including during holidays. The school’s students are allowed to watch TV once they reach 12 years old and then only documentaries that have been previously vetted by parents. They cannot watch films until they are 14. The Internet is banned completely for everyone under 16, both at home and at school. And computers are only to be used as part of the school curriculum for students who are at least 14.
   It may sound draconian, but Thorne believes taking a more considered approach to the use of technology in class allows teachers to help students develop core skills such as leadership, decision making and creativity. Besides, much of the technology which is cutting edge today is likely to appear primitive in tomorrow’s world.
   Thorne claims feedback from students about the restrictions has been positive. Younger pupils relish the chance to play and even teenagers who have come from a typical school admit they are happier.
   Restricting the use of technology is also a challenge for the 21st century teachers, who are used to the easy accessibility of resources and information, thanks to interactive whiteboards and computers. “It is hard work,” admits Ian Young, a class teacher. “You definitely have to be a lot more creative in how you deliver a lesson,” he says. “You have to work with your voice more, whether it is loud or quiet, to give them incentive. You need to make sure you keep them interested in what’s coming next.” He adds: “I don’t think we are doing children any favours by teaching them through machines at that young age.”

   What question does the author pose in the first paragraph?

   	1)	What will education be like in the future?
   	2)	Is high-tech really very useful in education?
   	3)	How will the parents from technology companies educate their children?
   	4)	Should the hi-tech gadgets be allowed in the classroom?

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

6. Задание 12

   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.
   Learning environment
   When you think of education, you likely picture a classroom setting with a teacher upfront by the board and students watching the lecture or lesson. The typical picture of in-person learning has shifted greatly, however, with the advent of online learning and the power of technology. But is it really so powerful?
   For anyone who is questioning whether online learning or in-person instruction is better, I am going to share the advantages and disadvantages of each learning environment.
   Let’s consider some of the benefits of in-person learning. Some people look forward to the academic experience they have when they are in-person with their peers and instructor. For some, it’s because it allows for hands-on learning and collaboration with peers at the same time and in the same place. For others, they may feel more comfortable asking questions in-person. When it comes to college, some students want the experience of living in a dorm, sitting in lecture halls, partaking in labs, and engaging in social activities.
   In-person learning is aimed to provide a distraction-free environment. Entering a classroom comes along with fewer distractions. The space is designed and intended for learning and since a teacher is there, you may feel more inclined to focus. It can be harder to be distracted by cell phones or anything else inside a classroom.
   On the other hand, when it comes to learning within an institution’s walls, students have no say as to when or where the class is offered. You simply receive a schedule and have to be there at that time. This can clash with one’s existing responsibilities. Moreover, since you have to be in a designated space at a certain time for traditional in-person learning, you have to factor in commuting time (and costs).
   Online learning is much more flexible. Since education takes place online, you have more flexibility in setting your own schedule. This is especially the case with pre-recorded lectures. Even without pre-recorded lectures, you have more flexibility in your schedule because you don’t have to commute anymore to a location to learn. For students in many countries, obtaining an education seems like a dream when there are no physical school locations or geographical barriers to making it to a specific place. With online learning, access to education has been maximized, allowing people from all over the world to join. As such, you can learn alongside students from different countries and connect to people from every corner of the globe, and when it comes to doing so in an educational setting, students benefit from diverse perspectives. Additionally, you could connect with someone in another location that might become your next business partner or employer.
   Next, compare the price. In the case of college, in-person learning tends to be much more expensive than online alternatives. That’s mostly because schools have high overhead costs, but they also can charge the tuition and fees that they want to, especially when they are privately owned. Given less overhead costs, online education tends to be much more cost-effective than in-person learning. In some cases, online learning can be totally free, such as from online platforms.
   When comparing in-person learning to online learning, it’s hard to say that one is better than the other. That’s because it typically comes down to a student’s preference. As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both styles of learning. Depending on your unique situation, you can determine which environment feels more fitting for you and your goals.

   According to the text, the typical educational experience …

   	1)	has changed a lot recently.
   	2)	involves students in a lesson.
   	3)	has shifted a teacher’s role.
   	4)	is now online for most people.

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

7. Задание 12

   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.
   How a Paris abbey became a science museum
   A trip to Europe without visiting museums would be like a trip to Fiji without visiting a beach. It just seems wrong to ignore such an embarrassment of riches. So when I was in France last year, I dutifully walked through museums, but I soon noticed a strange phenomenon. Every time I think about going to a museum, it seems like a fascinating way to spend an afternoon, but once I get there, I almost always find myself getting very sleepy by the time I get to the second gallery. I try to be enthusiastic … but usually I’m no match for the long halls of display cases.
   There is an exception to this rule, though: science museums. I love inventions and gadgets, getting to know how things work and how people went about solving very difficult problems. I can stay awake in a good science museum indefinitely. So while in Paris, I visited the Conservatory of Arts and Trades. Part of this centuries-old institution is a museum that’s open to the public, and it contains a fascinating variety of objects and exhibits including the original Foucault’s Pendulum.
   The Conservatory is off the beaten path; most English guidebooks don’t even mention it. It does, however, attract a certain number of pilgrims who were fascinated by Umberto Eco’s novel Foucault’s Pendulum, part of which takes place there. In the novel, a secret passage under the floor of the nave connects with the Paris sewers. That isn’t the case in reality, but truth is perhaps more interesting than fiction. There is something under the floor of the nave, a curious part of the building’s long and strange history.
   The foundation for the abbey church of St. Martin of the Fields was laid around 1059, about the time of the Norman conquest. Over the next centuries, numerous additions and renovations were undertaken. All that changed in the French Revolution when under the name of Conservatory of Arts and Trades, it became a depository for machines, models, tools, drawings, descriptions and books in all the areas of the arts and trades. It officially opened in 1802.
   The museum closed for a renovation in 1993, and as part of the process, archaeological excavations were undertaken beneath the floor of the nave. For the entire history of the church, there had been stories that the site on which it stood was once a Merovingian funerary basilica, but this had never been proven. What archaeologists discovered was a large necropolis dating from the 6th or 7th century with about 100 plaster coffins inside. The tales were indeed true.
   When the museum reopened a few years later, it was a typical shiny and up-to-date science museum. But it was decided that their thousands of additional articles should be made available to scholars even when they’re not on exhibit. So they opened a satellite facility in the nearby town of Saint-Denis, where by appointment only qualified researchers can go to examine the rest of the museum’s collection.
   I’ve been to the Conservatory in 2000 and in 2003. As a science museum I found it a sheer delight. The former abbey is only a portion of the museum, and the museum is only a portion of the Conservatory. But all the history of the building and the institution seems to be concentrated in the large nave with its bones beneath and gadgets above. The odd contrast of centuries of monastic simplicity with centuries of technological progress tickles me in a way I can’t easily describe. Perhaps the Pendulum says it best: as a scientific wonder that’s also meditatively simple, it symbolically bridges the illusory divide between technology and spirituality.

   According to the author, visiting museums in Europe is considered to …

   	1)	become more and more popular.
   	2)	be an integral part of any journey.
   	3)	show the level of one’s education.
   	4)	be the evidence of general curiosity.

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

8. Задание 12

   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.
   Are tours really so bad?
   I’ve always been all for independent travel and my friends often ask me: if tours are really so bad, why so many people do them?
   Well, I wouldn’t be so straightforward. First of all, tours provide higher quality at better value. I’ve always been trying to break down costs for independent travel in different cities around the world, so it might seem strange when I say that tours are actually a better value. The reality is that in most places, the absolute cheapest way to travel is independently, but that means hostel bunks and street food instead of hotels and restaurants. And in a country like China, the tours are much cheaper than independent travel at any standard.
   Of course, the reason for this is that a tour provider can book 20 hotel rooms every week with one phone call, so they get amazing hotel rates that independent travellers couldn’t dream of. The same is true with restaurants and even attractions, where large groups are much cheaper per person than singles. Even with a tour provider mark-up, you still get a better deal in most cases.
   Another important thing for many of us is that there is little or no stress with language or culture barriers. Even in an English-speaking country, it can be confusing on your first visit, and things like finding hotels and even museums can be headaches. When in countries with other languages, the level of confusion gets multiplied, often further compounded by touts and other illegal sellers who make a living trying to steer you somewhere else. On a tour you’ll always have an English speaker who knows the local area well between you and the potential obstacles. It’s almost like having an old friend living in the area, who can tell you exactly where to go and whom to ignore.
   That leads us to the next point. Tours provide security and accountability. No method of travel is 100% safe and secure, but at least when you are on a tour you know that people who know the risks are working on your behalf. Travelling on your own, if your hotel says it’s fully booked, then you are out on the street. But with a tour, it’s up to them to find you a new room nearby, which would be far easier even if it did happen.
   If you get sick or injured on your own, you are on your own, while on a tour there will be an experienced person there to help get medicine or look after you. I had a large backpack stolen off a train because the luggage area works on the honour system. Had I been on a tour, someone would likely have put everything in a secure place because their reputation depends on clients making it home with all their gear.
   And last but not least, itineraries on tours are designed by professionals. Everyone obviously has different tastes when sightseeing, but that doesn’t mean that independent travellers always make the right decisions. The typical first-time visitor to a big city will try to schedule 18 hours worth of sightseeing into every day, which obviously doesn’t work once you get there. These tour companies that have been around for a long time tend to do a great job maximising sightseeing time but also adding in leisure time, meal time, and sleep time. In the era of ubiquitous reviews not to mention social media, these tour companies can only survive if they provide a product that people feel good about when it’s done. Not only can they get you between sights more quickly, but they also know when clients prefer to relax and slow down.
   All said and done, I am not writing this to put you off independent travel but rather to make you look before you leap.

   The author’s travel experience is …

   	1)	mostly in China.
   	2)	rather limited.
   	3)	strange in a way.
   	4)	quite extensive.

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   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

9. Задание 12

   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.
   Cycling
   Winter is over, and snow is but a memory. Because of the warmer climate, getting around the town by bicycle has become a more viable option. With parking problems and rising gas prices, people should bike more, as it is a less costly alternative to using automobiles, and it is better for the environment and personal health.
   It would not be revolutionary to claim that parking in our city can be a bit of a hassle. Recently, the University students were asked about their experiences with parking. Their main complaint — and the bottom line of the problem — is that parking is expensive. However, those expenses can be avoided by using bicycles, as bike parking on campus is free.
   Another expense issue with cars is gas, as prices have been on the rise. Though price averages in our state remain below the national average, it is still a lot more compared to the pricing from a year ago. This would obviously not be an issue if one were to cycle instead.
   The great weather we have had and the cost-efficiency of cycling should be enough to convince people to bike more, but there are other benefits aside from general convenience.
   Firstly, cycling is better for the environment. Bikes do not release pollutants into the air, and consistent cycling is estimated to prevent 6 to 14 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere every year. Infrastructure requirements for bikes are minimal, as they do not require the establishment of highways. This means fewer resources need to be used and less land needs to be urbanized.
   Secondly, cycling is better for you. Cycling as a means of transportation will get you where you need to go while providing you with an accessible workout that increases your strength, stamina, and overall fitness. Additionally, cycling has mental health benefits. Regular cyclists are likely to experience improved moods. To build on this, a study shows that cyclists experience 21.6 percent fewer bad mental health days, suggesting that cycling is beneficial to one’s well-being in more ways than one.
   Essentially, there are plenty of reasons why everyone should bike more. Our city is a particularly encouraging place to bike. There are signs and lanes everywhere dedicated to making cycling more convenient, and the university encourages this alternative as well.
   Well, there are some problems, of course. One of these is bike theft.
   To avoid it, just follow some rules if you rely on bicycle transportation to get to and from campus. Many of these actions can also help police locate and identify your bicycle, should it go missing. First of all, use a high-quality lock. When you lock your bike, be sure to lock your bike frame and wheel to fixed, approved bike racks. Second, keep a record of the make, model, and serial number of your bike, including a photograph. This will make it easier to report your bike if it is stolen, and to return it to you if it is located. Next, balance protection and visibility. Lock up your bike in a moderately busy area with high visibility rather than an isolated location. Avoid leaving your bike unattended in the same area for multiple days. Finally, consider investing in a tracking device for your bicycle and report bike theft and suspicious activity near bike racks. Following these simple tips, you won’t lose your bike and you’ll help save others.
   Considering that the weather is warmer and automobiles are still a hassle to use in the city, now is as good a time as any to start biking. If you have an old bike lying around, maybe it is time to start using it. If not, it might be time to invest in one.

   The author thinks using a bike now is easier because of …

   	1)	prices for bikes.
   	2)	improved weather.
   	3)	environmental laws.
   	4)	roads free of cars.

   Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

   Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

10. Задание 12

    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.
    What are soft skills?
    Every career has a job description. Employers like to make clear the experience, education and skills they are looking for in an employee, so they can ensure a good fit. But in addition to “hard skills” that come from your education and work experience, employers want to know if you have the personality and character it takes to do well in the workplace and in your specific role. These less-technical skills are called “soft skills”.
    Unlike other parts of your job duties, soft skills are traits that aren’t trained. They are interpersonal skills like communication, empathy, collaboration, problem solving and conflict resolution. These skills are all essential for employees in any organization. We all work with people in a variety of ways, and teams are the norm in almost every company. Hiring professionals and supervisors need to know you will get along with, support and effectively connect and collaborate with co-workers to complete tasks.
    Simply put, hard skills may get you an interview, but soft skills can help you get the job and keep it. The soft skills that set you apart from others may also lead to future incentives or promotions.
    Soft skills are an excellent way for you to differentiate yourself in a job search. If your technical skill is on a par with other candidates, your ability to communicate and build a connection with hiring managers can be the decisive factor.
    You’re probably wondering which soft skills will set you apart from other applicants. Most hiring managers agree that communication skills are at the top of their list. While you don’t have to be an amazing speech-deliverer, employers want to know that you can handle disagreements, portray ideas in presentations or conversations and write coherently.
    Conflict resolution and collaboration are other key areas hiring managers value. But don’t be fooled – working well with others isn’t just about keeping a calm office. The ability to develop relationships that benefit both parties is a big part of becoming an influential and effective employee. While it is true that many of these traits are ingrained, don’t worry too much if these don’t come naturally to you. There are plenty of ways to learn and grow as you prepare for a job.
    Showing your soft skills isn’t impossible, it just takes a little work. Not only do you have to emphasize your soft skills in interviews but share specific examples to illustrate how you apply them in your life and on the job. You can recall times when you worked on a team project where members had conflicting views and share how you handled it.
    Were you the leader who made sure all voices were heard, and then helped mediate and resolve the conflict? Maybe you were one of the team and you took the role of helping evaluate each view and coming to consensus. Maybe you were the one to support the person whose idea was not used but was successful afterwards. These are all examples that can be highly relevant to employers making hiring decisions.
    When it comes to your résumé, leveraging your soft skills may sound tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, how you communicate on your resume and cover letter are great examples of your soft skills. Start by making sure your résumé and cover letter are typo-free and grammatically sound. Remember to show, and not just tell. Saying you’re an excellent communicator has much less impact than giving concrete examples of times where your communication ability was excellent. Anyone can say they are amazing. It’s up to you to prove it.

    According to the text, soft skills are the …

    	1)	skills you get when in professional education.
    	2)	individual traits that influence your job performance.
    	3)	skills that allow you to work with technology.
    	4)	only skills employers look for in the employees.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

11. Задание 12

    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.
    Highlands Express
    The journey began on a September evening in London as a black cab rushed me to Euston station. I had a weekend to myself, and I meant to make the most of it by hitting the famous Highlands of Scotland on a Caledonian Sleeper, a working train also affectionately known as the Deerstalker Express. I saw it as an escape from hectic city life.
    A train is a very public place, but a berth on the sleeper is one of the most private. I was shown to my little first-class cabin - a little bed, little basin, window, night light and an extra blanket, trim as a toy house. I took a nibble in the comfortable, modern dining car, and retired to bed. London had slipped away, and it was black out there. I pulled the blind, put out the lamp, and arranged myself for sleep.
    The train pulled into the station at 9:43 a.m. The centre of Fort William, I quickly learned, is but a street of fishing and hiking shops, with a spiky Victorian church, a handsome stone hotel, and a lake running alongside it. Before I took a cab to the hotel, I wandered up High Street to find the local paper and a cup of tea. A few hours later, I found myself standing up to my knees in the River Lochy, fishing with the expert assistance of a local guide, Martin Brown. The hotel staff was quite helpful and had arranged the outing with Martin. My aim was to learn the basics of fly-fishing. While Martin effortlessly handled yards and yards of fishing line so that his fly touched a small pool across the river, I splashed my fly into the river a few yards off. My first few casts were a mess, but I gradually improved. Soon, I hooked something. The rod grew heavy and lively. Eventually, I got very cold feet and aching arms and some sense of the pleasures of fishing, just as I had hoped.
    That evening, after Martin dropped me off at the hotel, I found a place to sit among the armchair atolls in the oceanic great hall. Later, I was summoned to my table in one of the dining rooms, walls hung with prints. My meal was unassuming but tasty. I had a bit of meat pie, and a bit of cheese.
    The following morning, I struck out on the well-marked walk that takes just a few hours but plunges you immediately into the grandeur of the Highlands. In the distance I saw an odd sight: a group of hikers dancing madly about the stream, waving their arms and shaking their heads.
    I spread my coat on the grass and settled down to my picnic - superior crab sandwiches provided by the hotel. In a moment, I was on my feet, slapping my face and rubbing my hair while grabbing up my sandwiches with a free hand. I had forgotten the bane of the Highlands: flies, which are particularly active in late summer.
    At Fort William’s excellent West Highland Museum, housed in a late Georgian building on Cameron Square, you can learn how people left a mark on this ancient landscape. They worked its trees and stones, leaving beautiful ax heads from the Stone Age, Celtic jewellery, the blade of a bronze sword. There are suggestions of myth and magic, the cement that connected people to their surroundings and the darker world beyond: amulets, cures, and trophies. And there are objects so rare and weird that they seemed to have dropped from the world beyond: so-called drift-seeds, which floated ashore from the West Indies and were turned into charms, odd-shaped or queerly colored pebbles that drew fevers, or brought a loved one home.
    It was not yet dark when the London sleeper slid out of Fort William Station. I did not brood for long on the triumphs and tragedies of Highland history. When I next opened my eyes, I saw the huddled rooftops of suburban London, and a cheerful attendant, passing me a cup of tea.

    The author decided to spend a holiday in the Highlands to …

    	1)	ride an exclusive train.
    	2)	spend some time on his own.
    	3)	get away from the busy capital.
    	4)	see what the Highlands are known for.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

12. Задание 12

    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.
    AI and student experience
    No matter what your occupation is, you have probably faced some uncertainty over the last few years as a result of innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and its growing popularity. Teachers and students alike feel strongly about the upcoming changes. There are certain ways in which AI technology is altering education, both for teachers and students. Here is what lies ahead for education and the student experience in today’s AI-driven world.
    If you have tried using AI tools yourself, you know how powerful they can be. With just a few clicks, these programmes can write stories, organise ideas, and even complete homework assignments. Unfortunately for educators, this potent tool is also available to students who may use it to cheat and plagiarise work. Over the last several months, teachers from elementary schools to universities have been trying to address this growing problem.
    Sadly, there is, as yet, no silver-bullet solution for teachers. While some software has claimed to be able to detect the presence of AI-generated content, none of these have fully cracked the code. Teachers are now left to guess whether students are using this software to complete assignments. As a result of this change, there will likely be a shift in education that puts emphasis on in-person assessments, rather than take-home assignments. In this way, educators can be sure that students are not using AI software to generate their work.
    But AI is not just causing problems – it is also creating new opportunities. Teachers are also starting to introduce AI into their processes. Instead of banning the use of AI, many educators and institutions are currently trying to figure out the best ways for students to use this technology as a helpful tool. Some teachers believe that soon, all students will learn how to use AI properly to support their learning in honest and useful ways.
    Over the decades, a critique of the school system has been its one-size-fits-all approach to education. This is a model that treats every student the same way, ignoring individual needs and learning styles. Though there were some attempts to fix this issue, none have been very effective. Today, however, AI is presenting itself as an antidote to this problem. The data about students’ abilities makes it possible for teachers to use AI to personalise learning. For example, the technology can show which students need extra help, and which ones are ready for more challenging work. This means teachers can tweak their lessons to fit each student’s needs, helping everyone do their best.
    Getting extra help outside of school has always been important for many students, but not everyone could afford private tutors. Now, AI is changing that. Free AI tutors are becoming available to help students with their schoolwork anytime they need it. These digital tutors can explain difficult concepts, help with homework, and give students the extra practice they need to understand tough subjects.
    Thus, AI can have a wide variety of impacts on the student experience. While it is creating new problems, like cheating, it is also offering new ways to make learning more personal and accessible for every student. Now, all students have more opportunities to excel in subjects they once found challenging. This incredible innovation makes me hopeful that more students will achieve academic success. The key will be learning how to use this technology wisely – as a tool to support learning, not replace it. As teachers and students continue to adapt, one thing is clear: education will never again be the same.

    What feeling does the spread of AI in education bring up?

    	1)	Excitement.
    	2)	Doubt.
    	3)	Curiosity.
    	4)	Opposition.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

13. Задание 12

    Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании обведите цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.
    The culture shock of being an international student
    For any student, moving away from home can be a bit scary. But I did not expect student life in Scotland to be all that different from my home of the Netherlands. After all, we get the same news and TV shows online. Many students find the northwest climate can affect them a lot. You may find the grayness and dampness, especially during the winter months, difficult to get used to. However, when I moved from Amsterdam to study at the University of Stirling, I began to realise that a few minor issues were catching me off balance. I was suffering a minor cultural shock.
    In my first year, I quickly found out my English was not as good as I had assumed. Most of my roommates were born and raised in Scotland, and I constantly found myself having to ask people to repeat themselves. Their Scottish accents did not help and I was mispronouncing names and places all the time. I also got confused about minor cultural things. Much to my flatmates’ amusement, it took me two Christmases to figure out that mince pies are not actually filled with minced beef.
    The linguistic barrier meant that public transport was tricky at first. I found the lack of information about bus prices and how and where to get tickets really surprising. It turned a simple 15-minute journey into a daunting task.
    Then I had to adjust to a new social life. I was surprised by the campus culture in the UK – in the Netherlands, most universities don’t have one main campus where you can attend university, as well as live and exercise all in the same place. But here, you never have to leave campus if you don’t want to. I had to adapt to everyone being so close to each other all the time.
    Parties are different here too. In the Netherlands, the less effort you put into getting ready, the better. I’d normally slip on my trusty Converse shoes, along with some clothes I could get away with wearing to class tomorrow, and wear minimal make-up. But, in my experience, partying is more formal in the UK. Your make-up needs to be flawless and your hair needs to be immaculate. You’ll preferably be wearing a dress and heels, too. I was constantly having to borrow clothes off my friends just to fit in. Parties finish early and everyone just wanders off, whereas in my country that would be the time I’d leave the house.
    But it is not all early closing times and strange pastries. Social behaviours may also confuse, surprise or offend you. For example, you may find people appear cold, distant or always in a hurry. Cultures are built on deeply-embedded sets of values, norms, assumptions and beliefs. It can be surprising and sometimes distressing to find that people do not share some of your most deeply held ideas, as most of us take our core values and beliefs for granted and assume they are universally held.
    However, I have found lots of pleasant surprises in the UK too – and so have many other international students I know. My friend Agnes was taken aback by how sociable people are. She says she was shocked when complete strangers started talking to her at the bus stop. I, personally, was surprised by how smartly male students in Sterling dress compared to my home country.
    Culture shock can knock your confidence in the beginning. But you are not alone in taking time to adapt, and soon you start to come to grips with all experiences. Studies suggest that taking a gap year or studying abroad can positively influence your brain to make you more outgoing and open to new ideas. Looking back, most of the ones I experienced made good stories to tell my friends.

    When she moved to Scotland, the student was mostly confused by …

    	1)	small unexpected things.
    	2)	television shows.
    	3)	the weather.
    	4)	the local food.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

14. Задание 12

    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.
    Video games as social spaces
    I imagine most parents of gamers have hollered to their children to stop playing games and be with people. Their children seem totally secluded, sitting all alone, and staring blankly at a screen for hours at a time. Children need to talk to each other, to have conversations, to get out into the world. That’s how we make friends, parents assert. I often hear parents say that video games don’t count as healthy communication; their kids aren’t talking about anything real when they play, they’re just talking about the game or yelling at one another.
    Two researchers studied exactly this in 2006. They looked at over 5,800 messages sent while playing an online multiplayer game and examined whether these messages were socio-emotional or task-oriented. Socio-emotional messages are ones which help players connect with one another, such as “Thanks for the help,” and “Wow, that was funny.” Task-oriented messages are focused on the game itself, such as “How do you open this door?”
    They found that there were more than 3.2 times as many socio-emotional messages as task-oriented ones. Additionally, these emotion-based messages were over 2.6 times more likely to be positive than negative. That means that, contrary to parents’ fears, the vast majority of the messages people sent while playing were used to interact with others in a positive way. Although the method of communication is different, the messages sent and connections built are the same.
    Even if players were to only spend time talking about the game itself, games would still be a great way to bond with other people. Lots of families have weekly “game nights” in which they play board games to spend time with one another. I spent a few hours playing card games with my family last week and, even though most of the conversation was centered on the games themselves, it was undeniably a bonding experience.
    Many teens go to each other’s homes to play video games in the same room. Shared experiences like these are so good at helping people connect that some therapists even use tabletop games as group therapy. In fact, research has shown that many people who meet while playing games online do end up spending time with those people.
    There is also evidence to suggest that video games can be safe places to experiment with social interactions for vulnerable people, such as the ones with autism spectrum disorders or those with social anxiety. Video games and other online spaces are “safe” for these individuals because they allow people to communicate when they want to, with little or no pressure to respond and without requiring them to be in the same physical space with others.
    Successful conversations require a wide variety of skills that many take for granted, such as reading body language, understanding tone of voice, maintaining eye contact, and rapidly responding to information. Online video games can allow players to talk to others and make friends at their current ability level, even when they are not emotionally or physically able to leave their homes. This can help build the skills and confidence necessary to try it in person.
    Children and teens are spending more and more time playing video games online with their friends. For most, this is a positive experience, allowing them to communicate with others even when they are unable to physically be with them. This unconventional method of communication is helpful in fostering connections while building the skills and confidence necessary to interact face-to-face. Video games are a large part of the lives of young people and should be recognized as a source of social support.

    The word secluded in paragraph 1 (Their children seem totally secluded) most probably means …

    	1)	isolated.
    	2)	engaged.
    	3)	enthusiastic.
    	4)	concentrated.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

15. Задание 12

    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.
    Graduation is coming…What’s next?
    Graduation is less than a month away. While I cannot wait to throw my hat up into the air and officially check off Went to College on my to-do list, there is one thing that has been staring me down that I absolutely dread. Entering the workforce.
    I believed that with my shiny new degree and my references on my CV, I would be able to start working at the lower end of companies I spent four years preparing myself for. Instead, in all job postings that I find I see this requirement: “3+ years of experience in related field.”
    Speaking from personal experience, I believed that my extracurricular activities at the university prepared me for the jobs I was applying for, but that rejection letter keeps showing up in my inbox. From the comments I have received about my application, they all ask for more experience in the field, although an entry-level job is a job that “requires minimal professional work experience”.
    Well, I did not have an internship or a job history in the field. I spent my time on campus – at least until COVID-19 forced me to be home for a year-and-a-half – participating in clubs and magazines. I completely forgot about internships. Now, while I would like to believe I could dismantle the idea of needing three years of experience for an entry-level job, I am just one person. So, instead, I am out here telling you to find internships as soon as possible in your field of interest.
    Internships are not just for the school year. There are many internships that happen during the summer. There are also remote internships so you do not have to keep yourself geographically limited. Unpaid internships are one of the most helpful things to set you apart from others. There are some that do pay – I’ve seen some that pay $15 an hour, which is crazy in my eyes – which is considered a blessing, but at some point, the only thing available is an unpaid internship.
    Our university has an entire webpage devoted to internships and how to get them. A free account for an internship network is created for each student upon admission to the university. You can research employers, apply for jobs and internships, begin the internship registration process and participate in on-campus mock interviews. There are multiple people to support you. Schedule an appointment with a career coach - for help in finding or developing an internship opportunity that is right for you. During the school year, you can also meet with a peer advisor for a CV or cover letter review. Visit with your academic advisor or departmental internship coordinator to find out about academic internship courses or opportunities offered through your major department.
    Don’t forget about networking with family, friends, and campus contacts. Let others know the types of opportunities you are looking for and share your CV with them. Finally, attend a career fair or a networking event. These are great networking opportunities!
    I am not here to be gentle with you. Sometimes the internship work is gruelling for no pay, but in the end, it is worth the payoff when trying to get a higher paying job in the workforce. There is no such thing as an entry-level job because many of them are still asking for years of experience, despite being on the low-end of the corporate food chain. While they will still teach you the basics of their working environment, most companies want to have someone who already knows their way around and can throw themselves into the work without much of a fuss.
    In the end, that internship is going to save you in the long run. Take it from someone who did not do an internship and is now paying the price.

    How does the author feel about his graduation?

    	1)	Regretful.
    	2)	Doubtful.
    	3)	Worried.
    	4)	Satisfied.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

16. Задание 12

    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.
    College food
    Choosing a college? Well, you may want to look more closely at what’s being served. Not just in the classrooms but also the cafeterias.
    What you eat and drink in college can make a big difference during college and well beyond. College may be the first time that you are away from Mommy and Daddy and are making decisions about what to put in your mouth on your own. It is when you are potentially programming some of your habits for life. You may also still be growing in college, which makes good nutrition especially important. According to a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine, overweight and obesity rates increase by more than 15% for first-year college students.
    Healthy may not be the first thing you think of when you picture college eating. Instead, it may be late-night takeout, food from bags, ketchup as a vegetable, cereal for dinner and Nutella on everything. Oh, and when the cafeteria’s vegetable-of-the-day is mushroom, it may actually be “mush” served in a room. The same study found that 95% of college students fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% report not getting enough physical activity.
    That is why the Healthier Campus Initiative appeared. As science has shown, once your eating habits are established, changing them can be very difficult. Yes, knowledge and a diploma aren’t the only things that you can get for life from college. That means that collegiate eating and drinking could be contributing to the continuing obesity epidemic and the host of diet-related chronic diseases that keep growing in many countries.
    College applicants seem to become more and more aware of this. Back when I was applying to college, the only thing I knew about college meal plans was that they involved meals and a plan. Oh, and that they could be quite costly. By contrast, a survey conducted in 2015 showed nearly 1 in 5 potential college applicants indicated that a college’s health and wellness offerings were “likely” or “extremely likely” to alter their decisions of whether to apply to that college. And 23% felt that access to such offerings would be “absolutely essential when deciding where to apply.” Among female high schoolers, 51% deemed it either absolutely essential or very important. Modern kids are smart.
    Therefore, take heed, colleges and universities. They say that a way to one’s heart is through the stomach. This may apply to the brain as well and the checkbook for college tuition. If colleges want to attract the best and brightest, they may want to make sure they are serving the yummiest and the healthiest.
    Of course, not all campuses around the country have joined the Initiative yet. That doesn’t mean that all other campuses are serving just hot dogs. However, you may want to be vigilant about what colleges and universities are serving. For example, ask to see their menus and accompanying nutrition information. This should include ingredients and frequency at which they are served. An apple a year will keep no doctor away. Determine what food is available off-hours or away from the cafeteria. This should include water fountains and healthy vending machines. Know who is supplying the food and from where the food comes.
    Certainly, college food is not the sole cause of the epidemics of obesity and other diet related chronic diseases that certain countries are facing right now as there are a lot of other factors involved, including economics and family traditions. But it may be a contributor. After all, college years may be very important in forming habits we keep through our whole lives.

    The author thinks that choosing a college should depend on …

    	1)	food served there.
    	2)	workout facilities.
    	3)	classes and food.
    	4)	healthy campus habits.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

17. Задание 12

    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.
    Optimism vs. pessimism
    Before you keep reading, take a moment to think about some of the things that happened to you today. Even better, grab a pen and write down a few specific events. So what did you come up with? Was it mostly positive stuff like: “My day’s going great! My grandmother made me pancakes for breakfast. I sat with my friends at lunch, and I actually enjoyed the English class today!” Or did your mind land on what went wrong: “My grandmother cooked breakfast and it made me so late I missed the bus. My friends wasted the entire lunch period gossiping about a boring TV show, and I had English class today. I hate Thursdays!”
    Researchers have spent a lot of time studying people who think positively. It turns out that an optimistic attitude helps us be happier, more successful, and healthier. Optimism can protect against depression – even for people who are at risk of it. An optimistic outlook makes people more resistant to stress. Optimism may even help people live longer. To put it simply, optimism is healthy.
    The best thing about optimism is you can learn it, even if your outlook tends to be more pessimistic. Optimism and pessimism are mindsets – ways of thinking and seeing things. Optimists see the positive side of things. They expect things to turn out well. They believe they have the skill and ability to make good things happen.
    You’ve probably heard people who tend to see the faults in everything called “pessimists.” A pessimist is more likely to expect things to turn out poorly or to focus on what didn’t go well. People aren’t always optimistic or always pessimistic, but most people tend to lean toward one of these thinking patterns. The good news is, if you tend to be more pessimistic, you’re not destined to always think that way. We can all become more optimistic by adjusting the way we see things.
    Another important thing is that optimism helps people succeed. Optimism goes beyond seeing the bright side of a situation or expecting good things. It’s also a way of explaining what has already happened. When something good happens, optimists think about what they did to make the situation turn out so well. They see their abilities as permanent, stable parts of themselves. They think of how this good thing can lead to other good things.
    When things don’t go as expected, it’s the reverse: optimists don’t blame themselves. They see setbacks as temporary. When something goes wrong, optimists link it to a specific situation or event, and not to their capabilities. Because they don’t view setbacks as personal failings, optimists are able to bounce back from disappointment better than pessimists.
    If you tend toward mostly pessimistic thinking, you can get better at seeing what’s good. Here are some things to try.
    First of all, notice good things as they happen. At the end of the day, take 10 minutes to run through your day and come up with things that you’re grateful for. Write them down in a journal, or keep track using a motivational app on your phone or tablet.
    You can also train your mind to believe you can make good things happen in your life. Get in a habit of telling yourself specific things you can do to succeed. For example: “If I study, I can get a better grade.” “If I practice, I'll perform well at the audition.” “If I go on that volunteer trip, I’ll meet new friends.”
    When something good happens, give yourself credit. Think of what you did to make a good outcome possible. Did you prepare for the test? Practise with dedication? Think of the strengths you used and how they helped you succeed.
    These simple things can change your attitude to life. In the end, every cloud has a silver lining.

    The purpose of the first paragraph is to ...

    	1)	provide an example of negative life perception.
    	2)	make you reflect on your attitude to life.
    	3)	emphasize the importance of journal writing.
    	4)	focus on the positive side of any situation.

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    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

18. Задание 12

    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.
    Agatha Christie’s secret life as an archaeologist
    She is one of the best-known crime writers of all time, but few know the extent of Agatha Christie’s archaeological pedigree. What can we discover if we dig into her past?
    Married in 1930 to Max Mallowan, an eminent archaeologist, Christie spent two decades living on excavation sites in the Middle East, writing her crime novels and helping out with her husband’s work. Travel by boat and on the Orient Express to Cairo, Damascus and Baghdad provided ideas for some of Christie’s best-known works of detective fiction, including “Murder on the Orient Express”, “Death on the Nile”, and “Murder in Mesopotamia”.
    Now, 3,000-year-old ivory artifacts recovered by Mallowan between 1949 and 1963 from the ancient city of Nimrud, in what is now Iraq, and likely cleaned by his famous wife using cotton wool buds and face cream, are currently on display at the British Museum in London. “Face cream in fact is quite a good thing to clean (artifacts) with. Obviously conservators now wouldn’t use that, but I don’t think it has done (the pieces) any harm,” he claimed, adding that in fact it was quite resourceful of Christie to think of applying her Innoxa face cream to the fragile, dirty pieces. “Agatha, who was very conscious of being fifteen years older than her husband, travelled everywhere with her moisturiser and it was just the right consistency for cleaning artifacts,” said Henrietta McCall, the author of “The Life of Max Mallowan: Archaeology and Agatha Christie.”
    Christie’s interest in archaeology, according to McCall, went deeper than support for her husband’s work and even formed the backdrop to works such as “Murder in Mesopotamia”, in which the culprit turns out to be an archaeologist. Several of the characters in the book can be traced to the people Christie knew from a dig in Ur in what is modern Iraq, including the murder victim, which McCall believes is based on the wife of archaeologist Leonard Woolley. “She made a wonderful quote on archaeology and crime detection, that they are very similar because you have to clear away the debris to reveal the shining truth,” said McCall. And Christie’s elaborate plotting and clue building came in handy when piecing together broken artifacts.
    According to the archaeologist Charlotte Trumpler, “Christie was of course fascinated by puzzles, using little archaeological fragments, and she had a gift for piecing them together very patiently.” Trumpler co-curated a 2001-2 travelling exhibition “Agatha Christie and Archaeology: Mystery in Mesopotamia” alongside Henrietta McCall.
    Although Christie played an important role in her husband’s work, even financing many of his expeditions, she was, according to McCall, very modest about her contributions. She was fiercely proud of Mallowan, who is often referred to as one of the best-known archaeologists of the post-WWII period. However, Trumpler believes that though Christie never publically mentioned it, her contribution to archaeology was larger than she imagined. Her notes and black and white photographs of excavation sites are used by archaeologists and researchers even today, she said.
    Christie’s readiness to muck in and help her husband, says Trumpler, stemmed from her desire to be a devoted wife but also from a fascination with the Middle East that stayed with her for many years. “Everyone thinks Agatha Christie was a bit like the character Miss Marple, that she lived in England and was into knitting and looking after the garden,” said Trumpler. “Actually, she wasn’t … she had such a fascinating life apart from being an author.”

    The word pedigree (“... the extent of Agatha Chistie’s pedigree”) in Paragraph 1 is synonymous to …

    	1)	education.
    	2)	background.
    	3)	discovery.
    	4)	development.

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    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

19. Задание 12

    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.
    New Years’ time in Russia
    To my mind, one of the best times to visit Russia is before New Year’s Eve, as it is a big celebration in Russia. During Soviet times, New Year’s Eve became a large celebration, complete with a big sit-down dinner. This tradition has continued today. Christmas is also now openly celebrated in Russia, but on a smaller scale.
    As New Year’s Eve in Russia is more of a family holiday, you may not find the kind of rowdy parties that you see in other countries on New Year’s Eve. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to someone’s home, be sure to bring thoughtful gifts and possibly your own slippers, although most families will have spares. Russian hospitality is quite fantastic if you have friends who will host you. And be prepared to answer a million questions about traditions in your home country!
    A common New Year’s expression is “The way you spend New Year’s Eve is the same way you’ll spend the rest of the year.” That’s why it’s so important for the last day of the year to be free from worries and arguments. You should forgive people, pay off your debts, and clean your home in order to start the new year happy and clean. A lot of Russians will also visit a Russian sauna or at least take a hot bath on the 31st of December to purify their bodies. You definitely should not sleep through the New Year, as it is considered a bad omen and will make the upcoming year sleepy and uneventful for you. Many people will also buy new clothes to wear on the New Year’s Eve to celebrate a fresh start.
    If you’re in Moscow, you can head to several look-out points in the city to watch the fireworks. My friend recommended heading to Moscow State University to have the best view over the city, and I don’t regret it. Many tourists head towards the Kremlin for iconic beautiful views of the fireworks along the river, although you need to get there early and wait in the cold for hours to see the fireworks.
    The New Year is a big deal everywhere in Russia. The decorations are lavish, gorgeous, and so rich that at some places they seem over the top. Shops can be so cluttered and even a little kitschy, it makes you feel like a kid in a huge candy store – with gaudy, colourful packaging, and lots of foil and cellophane … everything is in colour and glistening.
    And still, all those heavy decorations somehow fit Russia. In territorial terms, Russia is the largest country in the world, and this affects everything in it. The buildings are enormous, as are the boulevards and the squares. And of course, they are all given a festive look before the New Year.
    The facades of the enormous apartment buildings are adorned with huge decorations that light up in the dark and remind you of Las Vegas. Christmas trees are everywhere – on every corner, in front of every shop, every square and so on. What’s more, in order to make the atmosphere full of charm, gentle classical music pours through the spaces of malls, restaurants and all other public places. I am absolutely sure that when I was in Vienna, I rarely heard classical music as often as I did in Russia in the winter.
    And to finish with my advertisement, I should mention that Russians are people with a highly-developed culture, especially musically. I was amazed at their good taste for music. It is impressive how many concerts are performed in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the country’s two major cities. At the end of the year, the number of these concerts increases and tickets for the Bolshoi Theatre are sold out months in advance.
    To sum up, if you want to see Russia all lit up and covered with winter beauty, dress warmly and embark on a trip in December. But don’t plan too much for the last week, as it gets very crowded with people doing last-minute preparations.

    How is New Year in Russia different from other places, according to the text?

    	1)	It is a bigger holiday than Christmas.
    	2)	It is celebrated with close relatives.
    	3)	New Year parties are usually noisier.
    	4)	People go to clubs and restaurants.

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    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).

20. Задание 12

    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.
    Turning As an Obstacle
    When I first read about a sport called parkour, I thought it was about fluid, elegant, and graceful motions. But in practice, parkour is considered an “extreme” sport; as its participants dash around a city, they may vault over fences, run up walls, and even jump from rooftop to rooftop. So you won’t see senior citizens doing it in the park on Sunday mornings, but if you do witness it, you may think you’re watching a stunt person on a movie set.
    Le parkour is a French term, related to the verb parcourir, “to run over or through”. It was created by David Belle, Sebastien Foucan, and a group of their friends when they were teenagers living in the Paris suburb in the late 1980s. Belle’s father had been a soldier in Vietnam, and his preparatory programme included navigating obstacle courses. Belle picked up many of the moves from his father and, along with his friends, developed them into an art form.
    Parkour combines elements of running, gymnastics, dance, and martial arts into a breathtaking way of moving from place to place. The general idea is to move quickly and gracefully, treating buildings, walls, handrails, rocks, and whatever objects you come across as elements in an obstacle course. The only real rule is that you should not move backwards and that you should do it with as much efficiency and style as possible.
    The only equipment required for parkour is a good pair of shoes. Participants, who call themselves traceurs, wear no protective gear but typically invest a great deal of time in training and preparation in order to execute the necessary moves safely. The first thing any participant learns is how to cushion the impact of a jump by rolling. Although parkour is ultimately about clever improvisation rather than choreographed moves, there are a couple dozen or so standard maneuvers that almost all traceurs learn, including several methods for getting over tall walls.
    Some traceurs participate merely for the fun or the challenge, but others treat parkour as a more serious art, similar to some martial arts. As a philosophy, the movements metaphorically represent becoming one with your environment, learning how to overcome obstacles without effort, and finding creative paths – all things with practical value outside the sport.
    Even though parkour has reached international popularity, there is already an offshoot sport that has led to a great deal of bitterness and division among parkour proponents. Co-founder Sebastien Foucan, in a 2003 BBC documentary called “Jump London,” referred to the sport as “free-running” and that term caught on in the media. However, parkour purists feel that the direction in which Foucan has taken the activity is entirely different from what he and Belle had originally developed.
    The biggest difference has to do with theatrics. Free-running involves a lot of trick moves, particularly mid-air flips and spins. Because these moves are merely showy, not economical, they’re considered contrary to the nature of parkour. A free-runner may also move backwards in order to make a move as flashy as possible.
    But it’s not simply a matter of differing styles. Manufacturers are capitalizing on the growing interest in parkour and free-running by introducing special shoes, designer clothing, and so on; free-running competitions are also beginning to appear.

    The author claims that parkour …

    	1)	represents an elite sport.
    	2)	requires a lot of effort.
    	3)	is very affordable.
    	4)	has been popularized by the media.

    Ответ Проверить Показать ответ

    Источник: ФИПИ (по данным открытых источников).