Твір з англійської: Life 50 Years Ago /Життя 50 років тому

Life today seems to be much better than 50 years ago. It became much easier to do many basic things. For example, people don't have to wash clothes without a washing machine. There is a microwave, a vacuum cleaner, a dishwasher, an electric cooker almost in every house. Modern technology has fully changed our lives to the better. Fifty years ago people couldn't even imagine that household chores would be done by smart appliances. To think only, they didn't know that computers would instantly send messages, take photos, or allow making video calls. 

Nobody had cell phones back then. On the one hand, it might have been difficult to live without these gadgets. On the other hand, children were much happier without cell phones and hand-held computers. My grandparents often tell me about their childhood and youth. They say it was a happy time and people were different. People of their generation weren't commercially-minded at all. Our generation lives at the era of consumerism. We don’t value things and clothes that much. When we break or spoil something, we go to the store and easily buy a new one. My grandmother tells that she could wear the same pair of shoes for ten years and more, while I want to buy new shoes almost every season. Women’s rights have also been modified. Fifty years ago they were supposed to be diligent housewives. 

Today women are seen at many high positions. They can be leading lawyers, politicians, financiers, top managers and superintendants. Another modern step forward is the development of travel opportunities. It has become faster, cheaper and more convenient to travel from one country to another. It is beneficial nearly for everyone: international students, curious adults, international commerce 

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Життя сьогодні, здається, набагато краще, ніж 50 років тому. Стало набагато легше справлятися з багатьма елементарними речами. Наприклад, людям не доводиться прати одяг без пральної машини. Майже в кожному будинку є мікрохвильова піч, пилосос, посудомийна машина, електрична плита. Сучасні технології повністю змінили наше життя на краще. П'ятдесят років тому люди не могли навіть уявити собі, що домашніми справами займатимуться «розумні» пристрої. Подумати тільки, вони не знали, що комп'ютери зможуть миттєво відправляти повідомлення, робити фотографії або дозволять здійснювати відеодзвінки. 

У той час ні в кого не було стільникових телефонів. З одного боку, можливо, без цих гаджетів було важко жити. З іншого боку, діти були набагато щасливіші без стільникових телефонів і кишенькових комп'ютерів. Мої бабуся з дідусем часто розповідають мені про свої дитячі та юнацькі роки. Вони кажуть, що тоді був щасливий час і люди були іншими. Люди їх покоління зовсім не були комерційно налаштованими. Наше покоління живе в епоху споживацтва. Ми особливо не цінуємо речі і одяг. Якщо що-небудь зламалося або зіпсувалося, ми йдемо в магазин і легко купуємо нову річ. Моя бабуся каже, що вона носила одну пару взуття понад десяти років, в той час як я хочу купувати нові туфлі майже кожен сезон. Права жінок також були змінені. П'ятдесят років тому вони повинні були бути старанними домогосподарки. С

ьогодні жінки займають високі посади. Вони можуть бути провідними юристами, політиками, фінансистами, топ-менеджерами і керуючими. Ще один стрибок вперед - це розвиток можливостей для туризму. Стало швидше, дешевше і зручніше подорожувати з однієї країни в іншу. Це вигідно майже для всіх: для іноземних студентів, що цікавляться дорослих, міжнародної комерції і торгівлі і т.д. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:If I Had A Million /Якщо б у мене був мільйон

At different age people need different things to become happy. For example, little children would spend a million on toys, cartoons and entertainment parks. Adults would buy expensive cars, yachts, apartment or jewelry. As for me, I’m a high school student and I have my own preferences. If I was lucky to win or inherit one million, first of all I would put some money away for college. 

Then, I would donate some money to orphanages. I’m concerned about the life of orphaned children. I wish, they all lived in good conditions with plenty of toys, clothing, food, attention and love. I’m not a financial genius, but I would try to save some money for future needs. For example, I could open a savings bank account. If I still have some money left, I would buy a small car. Although I don’t have a driving license yet, I dream of having one. Another dream I cherish is to travel the world. So, if I had a million, I would pick several interesting places to visit, among them Italy, China, Egypt and Scotland. I would also like to buy a pet. It would probably be a dog, as I think it’s the best and most friendly creature in the world. In case I’m rich, I will definitely buy some presents for my parents, my younger sister and my friends. 

So, this is my way of spending a million. I’m sure all people have their own views on how to spend large amounts of money. Business-minded people would think on how to double the profit or how to earn more money with this million. As for me, I’m more likely to spend it on studies, travels, pets and charity.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Людям різного віку потрібні різні речі для щастя. Наприклад, маленькі діти витратили б мільйон на іграшки, мультфільми та парки розваг. Дорослі б купили дорогі автомобілі, яхти, квартири або коштовності. Що стосується мене, я старшокласниця і маю свої вподобання. Якби мені пощастило виграти або успадкувати один мільйон, в першу чергу я б відклала гроші на коледж.

Потім, я б пожертвувала трохи грошей в дитячі будинки. Я турбуюся про життя дітей-сиріт. Хочу, щоб всі вони жили в хороших умовах з великою кількістю іграшок, одягу, продуктів харчування, уваги і любові. Я не фінансовий геній, але я б спробувала заощадити трохи грошей для майбутніх потреб. Наприклад, я б відкрила ощадний рахунок у банку. Якби у мене ще залишилися гроші, я б хотіла купити невеликий автомобіль. Хоча у мене немає поки водійських прав, все ж, я мрію отримати їх. Ще одна мрія, яку я плекаю, це подорожувати по всьому світу. Так що, якщо б у мене був мільйон, я б вибрала кілька цікавих місць для відвідування, включаючи Італію, Китай, Єгипет і Шотландію. Я також хотіла б купити домашнього вихованця. Швидше за все, це була б собака, так як я думаю, що це найкраще і доброзичливе істота в світі. Якщо я розбагатію, я, безумовно, куплю подарунки для своїх батьків, молодшої сестри і друзів. 

Ось такий у мене спосіб витратити мільйон. Я впевнена, що у всіх свої погляди на те, як витратити велику суму грошей. Зацікавлені в бізнесі люди будуть думати про те, як подвоїти прибуток або як заробити більше грошей з цього мільйона. Що стосується мене, я швидше за витрачу їх на навчання, подорожі, домашніх тварин і благодійність. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:If I Were Rich /Якщо б я був багатим

Some people say that money can’t buy love and I fully agree with them. However, I’m convinced that there are lots of useful things that can be done with the help of money. Imagine how many lives in poor and developing countries would have gone differently if they had more money. So, if I were to win the lottery by chance, first of all I’d participate in charity to help ill children from these countries. It’s the most important act on my to-do list if I were rich. 

Secondly, I would donate a large sum of money for the improvement of educational system in such poor countries. I believe that good education stimulates economic growth. My third wish is to build a democratic animal shelter, where all the street dogs and cats would be fed and looked after. I want them to feel free and run around, instead of being kept in strict enclosures. Other than that, I’d open a new hospital with good medical facilities, where people with low income could receive free treatment. I know that one should be extremely rich to afford building such institutions. In my opinion, when a person becomes too rich, he or she starts taking advantage of those who are poorer. 

Other side effects of being rich include snobbery, lack of empathy, greed, etc. That’s why I’m convinced that rich people should donate most of their means to charity funds and poorer countries or simply try to help those who are in need. 

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Деякі люди кажуть, що гроші не можуть купити любов, і я з ними повністю згоден. Проте, я переконаний, що є безліч корисних речей, які можна зробити за допомогою грошей. Уявіть собі, скільки життів в бідних і країнах, що розвиваються склалися б інакше, якби у них було більше грошей. Так що, якщо б я випадково виграв лотерею, в першу чергу я б взяв участь в добродійності, щоб допомогти хворим дітям з таких країн. Це найважливіший пункт в моєму списку справ, якби я був багатим.

 По-друге, я б пожертвував велику суму грошей на поліпшення системи освіти в таких бідних країнах. Я вважаю, що хороша освіта стимулює економічне зростання. Моє третє бажання полягає в тому, щоб побудувати демократичний притулок для тварин, де б всі вуличні собаки і кішки були нагодовані й доглянуті. Я хочу, щоб вони вільно себе почували і бігали туди-сюди замість того, щоб сидіти в строгих клітинах. Крім цього, я б відкрив нову лікарню з хорошим медичним оснащенням, де люди з низьким рівнем доходів могли б отримувати безкоштовне лікування. Я знаю, що для того, щоб відкрити подібні установи, потрібно бути дуже багатим. На мій погляд, коли людина стає занадто багатим, він або вона починає недбало ставитися до тих, хто бідніший. 

До інших небажаних ефектів багатства належать снобізм, відсутність чуйності, жадібність і т.д. Тому я впевнений, що багаті люди повинні жертвувати більшу частину своїх коштів благодійним фондам і бідним країнам або ж просто намагатися допомогти нужденним. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Dieting/Дієта

People these days are becoming more conscious about their health, because there is so much fat and other harmful things in what we eat. A growing number of people suffer from obesity. At the same time there are many new diet programs appearing in sight. While some people find them useful, others say they can be dangerous. As for me, I think that selective eating can be very good for one’s health. It can help to keep the balance of all the necessary nutrients. Such behavior is called a balanced diet. Almost all doctors and nutritionists support this program. 

A healthy diet can prevent many diseases and help people to look better. However, when people consciously refuse to eat even healthy products, they can gradually turn into stack of bones. Such people are said to be anorexic and they don’t look attractive at all. Many young girls went through this craze, trying to look slim. So, in my opinion, dieting should be also limited. Keeping a diet doesn’t mean that people should stop eating. It means they should simply eat a little less. Health professionals advise to reduce the intake of fattening products, sugar and salt.

 Our body needs more vitamins and minerals, but not cholesterol. So, it would be a good idea to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, instead of cookies and cakes. Various seeds and nuts in moderation can be also good for people. In conclusion, I’d like to say that dieting can have wonderful effect if followed sensibly and appropriately. It is also a good idea to consult an expert before cutting out some important and nutritious products from your diet. This way, you can avoid malnutrition problems.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Люди в нинішній час все більше дбають про своє здоров'я, тому що в тому, що ми їмо багато жиру і інших шкідливих складових. Все більше людей страждають від ожиріння. У той же час на горизонті з'являється багато нових дієтичних програм. Тоді як деякі люди вважають їх корисними, інші кажуть, що вони можуть бути небезпечні. Що стосується мене, я думаю, що селективний метод їжі може бути дуже корисний для здоров'я. Він допомагає зберегти баланс всіх необхідних поживних речовин. Такий режим називається збалансованою дієтою. Майже всі лікарі і дієтологи підтримують цю програму. 

Здорова дієта може запобігти багатьом захворюванням і допомогти людям виглядати краще. Однак коли люди свідомо відмовляються їсти навіть корисні для здоров'я продукти, вони можуть поступово перетворитися в скелетів. Такі людей називають Анорексікі, і вони виглядають зовсім не привабливо. Багато молодих дівчат пройшли через це божевілля, намагаючись стати стрункими. Тому, на мій погляд, дієта теж повинна мати якісь межі. Підтримка дієти не означає, що люди повинні відмовитися зовсім від їжі. Це означає, що вони повинні просто є трохи менше. Фахівці в галузі охорони здоров'я радять зменшити споживання продуктів, що ведуть до ожиріння, цукру і солі. 

Наш організм потребує більше вітамінів і мінералів, а не в холестерин. Так що слід їсти більше свіжих фруктів і овочів, замість печива і тістечок. Різні зерна і горіхи в помірних кількостях також можуть бути корисні для людей. На закінчення я хотіла б сказати, що дієта може привести до чудових результатів, якщо дотримуватися її розумно і належним чином. Також, було б непогано проконсультуватися з експертом, перш ніж прибирати деякі важливі і поживні продукти зі свого раціону. Таким чином, можна уникнути проблем з неправильним харчуванням. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Harry Potter/Гаррі Поттер

Since the year Harry Potter was introduced to the world, he has become one of the most popular characters in the history of literature. He is adored by everyone I know: children, adults and even some elderly people. This orphaned boy has to live with his unpleasant relatives, because he’s lost his parents. He attends the Hogwarts School where they teach him different magical tricks. In fact, it’s a place where he studies wizardry. In total, there are seven books about the boy, all written by an incredibly gifted author - Joanne K. Rowling. In most chapters he fights the evil Voldemort, who was responsible for the death of his parents. All books were pictured on the screen and I should say that the films are as interesting as books. In fact, Harry has two best friends as stated in the story. Their names are Hermione and Ron. Some people prefer reading the books, but I liked the movies more. There are many moving moments there, such as Harry’s dance with Hermione, friends’ support in hard times, etc. Thanks to J. K. Rowling the story is impactful and catchy. I’m sure it brightened many children’s life. “Harry Potter” books were written for people of any religion, race or nationality. Perhaps, that’s why it has become the world’s best-selling series. It’s important that throughout the novel the writer brings out some vital topics, such as the choices which we make in life or the directions that we take. These choices determine the individual character of the main hero. In my opinion, watching the movies or reading the books about Harry Potter, children learn many invaluable lessons. Apart from that, the story is full of humorous moments.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

З тих пір, як Гаррі Поттер був представлений світу, він став одним з найпопулярніших персонажів в історії літератури. Його обожнюють всі, кого я знаю: діти, дорослі і навіть деякі літні люди. Цьому осиротевшему хлопчикові доводиться жити зі своїми неприємними родичами, тому що він втратив своїх батьків. Він відвідує школу Хогвартс, де вчать різним магічним трюкам. Насправді, це місце, де він вивчає чаклунство. В цілому, про цього хлопчика вийшло сім книг, написаних неймовірно талановитим автором - Джоан К. Роулінг. У багатьох розділах він бореться зі злим Волдемортом, який винен у смерті його батьків. Всі книги були перенесені на екран, і я повинен сказати, що фільми вийшли не гірше книг. Насправді, за оповіданням у Гаррі два кращих друга. Їх звуть Рон і Герміона. Деякі люди віддають перевагу книгам, а мені більше сподобалося кіно. У ньому є багато душевних моментів, наприклад, танець Гаррі з Герміоною, підтримка друзів у важкі часи, і т.д. Завдяки Джоан Роулінг, розповідь вийшов вражаючим і незабутнім. Я впевнений, що він осяяв життя багатьох дітей. Книги про "Гаррі Поттера" були написані для людей будь-якого віросповідання, раси або національності. Може бути, саме тому вони стали серією найбільш продаваних книг. Важливо, що на протязі всього роману письменник піднімає деякі важливі теми, такі як вибір, який ми робимо в житті або напрямок, якого ми дотримуємося. Ці вибори визначають індивідуальний характер головного героя. На мій погляд, дивлячись фільми або читаючи книги про Гаррі Поттера, діти вчаться багатьом безцінним уроків. Крім цього, в оповіданні чимало гумористично моментів. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Vegetarianism/Вегетаріанство

My name is Anna and I’m 15 years old. I’d like to speak on the topic of vegetarianism, which is becoming highly popular and demanded in modern society. The definition of this complex notion is a diet free of meat, fish and fowl. Becoming a vegetarian doesn’t mean that one can’t afford to buy meat. It usually means that they want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, to reduce the intake of fat and certainly to save animals from suffering. When I think about the risks that animals are going through, I want to turn into a vegetarian myself. I’m sure it’s the first and most valuable reason why people stop eating meat. However, there are a number of other reasons. 

Some people believe that meat-free food is much healthier, particularly eating fruit and vegetable dishes. As far as I know, there are six widespread forms of vegetarianism nowadays. Vegans, for example, don’t eat any products that come from animals including meat. They are allowed to eat all kinds of vegetation, greenery, nuts and various grains. Lacto-vegetarians eat the same products, but add some dairy products to their daily ration, while ovo-vegetarians are allowed to eat eggs. In any case vegetarianism is supposed to save money and to reduce some health risks.

 At the same time, there are constant arguments about this topic. It is known that meat is a rich source of protein. That’s why people who follow meat-free diet need to think how to substitute it. Before making any changes in the diet, it is highly recommended to consult a nutrition specialist and to undergo some tests.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Мене звуть Аня і мені 15 років. Я хотіла б поговорити на тему вегетаріанства, яке стало дуже популярним і затребуваним в сучасному суспільстві. Визначається це складне поняття як дієта, яка виключає м'ясо, рибу та птицю. Бути вегетаріанцем не означає, що людина не може собі дозволити покупку м'яса. Це, як правило, означає, що він хоче підтримувати здоровий спосіб життя, знизити споживання жирів і, звичайно, вберегти тварин від страждань. Коли я думаю про ризики, через які проходять тварини, то хочу сама перетворитися в вегетаріанка. Я впевнена, що це основна і найважливіша причина, по якій люди перестають їсти м'ясо. Проте, існує ряд інших причин. 

Деякі люди вважають, що їжа без м'яса набагато корисніше для здоров'я, особливо якщо це фруктові та овочеві страви. Наскільки мені відомо, в наші дні поширені шість форм вегетаріанства. Вегани, наприклад, не їдять ніяких продуктів тваринного походження, включаючи м'ясо. Вони можуть їсти всі види рослинності, зелені, горіхів і різних зернових культур. Лакто-вегетаріанці їдять ті ж самі продукти, але додають в свій щоденний раціон трохи молочних продуктів, а ово-вегетаріанцям дозволяється їсти яйця. У будь-якому випадку, вегетаріанство імовірно економить гроші і знижує ризик для здоров'я. 

У той же час, на цю тему ведуться постійні суперечки. Відомо, що м'ясо є багатим джерелом білка. Ось чому людям, які відмовляються від м'яса, потрібно подумати про те, як замінити його. Перед внесенням будь-яких змін в дієту настійно рекомендується проконсультуватися з фахівцем з харчування і здати деякі аналізи. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Anorexia/Анорексія

Millions of young girls in the world suffer from anorexia. It’s a serious mental disease that involves intentional starvation and develops as an eating disorder. It mostly strikes women between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five. Thousands of teenage girls die from anorexia each year. At first they start dreaming of becoming a model. They want to be slim and beautiful like the models on the cover of glossy magazines. Often this desire to become thin turns into an obsession. Women start following various diets, exercising, doing everything possible to lose weight. 

This might lead to eating disorders and other related problems. As we know food is something really important in our life. It’s one of the fundamental components of human lifestyle. We need to eat to reenergize and to stay healthy. That’s why the lack of food leads to such problems. It isn’t easy to detect the traces of anorexia on early stages. However, when a woman noticed its development she should try to identify the source of a problem as quickly as possible. Anorexia might begin with a feeling of high self-esteem but end up in a hospital ward. In the worst cases it’s a potentially fatal disease. Causes of anorexia can be different. In any case it involves certain psychological problems, which can be connected with family or social life, with personal relationships.

 Those, who have obsessive or high anxiety traits, are at a higher risk. When detected on early stages anorexia can be prevented, but on deeper stages it is rather difficult to save the person. Sometimes people who are hospitalized are forced to eat through a special tube. After all, it’s a horrible disease which needs a range of psychotherapy treatments. The sooner a woman realizes her problem, the better.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

 Мільйони молодих дівчат у світі страждають від анорексії. Це серйозне психічне захворювання, яке включає в себе умисне голодування і розвивається як розлад харчової поведінки. Воно, в основному, вражає жінок у віці від п'ятнадцяти до тридцяти п'яти років. Тисячі дівчаток-підлітків помирають від анорексії щороку. Все починається з мрії стати моделлю. Вони хочуть бути стрункими і красивими, як моделі на обкладинці глянцевих журналів. Часто це бажання схуднути перетворюється в одержимість. Жінки починають слідувати різним дієтам, тренуватися, робити все можливе, щоб схуднути. 

Це може призвести до розладів харчової поведінки і до інших пов'язаних з цим проблем. Як відомо, їжа дійсно важлива в нашому житті. Це одна з основних складових людського способу життя. Ми повинні їсти, щоб заряджатися енергією і залишатися здоровими. Ось чому відсутність їжі призводить до таких проблем. Виявити сліди анорексії на ранніх стадіях нелегко. Однак коли жінка помітила її розвиток, вона повинна спробувати визначити джерело проблеми якомога швидше. Анорексія може початися з почуття високої самооцінки, а закінчитися в лікарняній палаті. У гірших випадках це потенційно смертельне захворювання. Причини анорексії можуть бути різними. У кожному разі, це певні психологічні проблеми, які можуть бути пов'язані з сімейною або соціальним життям, з особистими відносинами. 

Ті, у кого є нав'язливі риси чи висока тривожність, піддаються більшому ризику. При виявленні на ранніх стадіях анорексію можна запобігти, але на більш глибоких стадіях досить складно врятувати людину. Іноді люди, які госпіталізовані, змушені їсти через спеціальну трубку. Зрештою, це жахлива хвороба, яка потребує низки психотерапевтичних методів лікування. Чим раніше жінка усвідомлює свою проблему, тим краще.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Whiskey/Віскі

Whiskey (from the Gaelic for "water of life"), spirituous liquor distilled from a fermented mash of grains, usually rye, barley, oats, wheat, or corn. Inferior whiskeys are made from potatoes, beets, and other roots.

The standard whiskeys of the world are Scotch (commonly spelled whisky ), Irish, American, and Canadian. The Scotch Highland whisky (made in pot stills) and that of the Lowlands (patent stills) differ in the percentage of barley used, quality of the water, quantity of peat employed in curing the malt, manner of distilling, and kind of casks in which they are matured. Irish whiskey resembles Scotch, but no peat is used in the curing, and instead of the dry, somewhat smoky flavor of Scotch, it has a full, sweet taste.

American whiskeys are divided into two main varieties, rye and bourbon, a corn whiskey that derives its name from Bourbon co., Ky. They have a higher flavor and a much deeper color than Scotch or Irish and require from two to three years longer to mature. Newly made whiskey is colorless, the rich brown of the matured liquor being acquired from the cask in which it is stored. Canadian whiskey has a characteristic lightness of body and must, according to law, be produced from cereal grain only.

Whiskey was made in England in the 11th cent., chiefly in monasteries, but in the 16th cent. distilling was carried on commercially. No whiskey can be released from bond in Great Britain until it has matured in wood at least three years, and in practice most whiskey is stored seven or eight years before marketing. In the United States bonded whiskey must stay a minimum of four years in bond before it can be labeled as bonded rye or bourbon.

The illicit manufacture of whiskey to avoid payment of excise taxes has been common. In the United States this is known as moonshining.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Wigs and Lawyers/Перуки та Адвокати

English legal dress has a long history. The introduction of wigs into polite society in the reign of Charles II (1660-85) was an innovation which could not be resisted. After a period of disapproval, wigs were generally assumed by lawyers in 1680's. Before the 17th century lawyers did not wear wigs. But professional discipline required that their hair and beards should be moderately short. By the middle of the 17th century wigs of powdered white or grey hair were the universal custom. But during George Ill's reign (1760-1820) wigs went rapidly out of general use.Although bishops were given royal permission to abandon their wigs in 1830, this was not necessarily true of other officials. There is a story that one Lord was refused permission to leave off his wig at court. In 1860 the council were permitted to remove their wigs during a heat wave. This attracted some comment in the press and it was suggested that wigs were abandoned altogether by the legal profession. However, the proposal met with little support, though it has been a common occurrence ever since for judges to allow wigs to be left off in very hot weather, and sometimes turbans are allowed to be worn instead of wigs on religious grounds. Early wigs are difficult to identify in portraits of the period because they were of a natural colour and were sometimes combined with a lock of growing hair at the forehead. However, wigs soon became large and increasingly stylized.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Written in the stars/Написана в зірках

She was a nurse in a local hospital. He was a fireman and he risked his life almost every day. They didn't know each other, but their acquaintance was written in the stars.

Ted was a widower. He lost his wife and his lovely daughter in a terrible fire ten years ago. He lost everything that he had, that he loved. And now he lived at his old parents' place, as he lost not only his family but also his house in that fire. After the accident, he decided to become a fireman. He had been studying for four years and finally he got a qualification. Since then his job was to save other people's lives but the only person, that he tried but he couldn't save, was himself. He was dying of loneliness and darkness in his exhausted soul.

Stella had been single for a long time. All her friends said to her that she was too choosy about men. But she didn't care.

That August day was an ordinary one. Stella was at work. But suddenly she heard shouts and caught the awful smell of burning. Her first thought was: "This is the end!" She tried to save patients but it was too late – the building was in fire. Then…she fainted and when Stella opened her eyes, she saw him: his face was dirty and black from soot but it didn't matter because she could see his kind eyes and then…darkness again.

Stella woke up in a ward. Her first thought was: "Congratulate you, Stella. You have become a patient!" The next moment a stranger was coming into her ward, she didn't know him…but his eyes… Their acquaintance was written in the stars.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Urban Legends/міські легенди

Urban legends are popular stories alleged to be true and transmitted from person to person by oral or written communication.People didn't begin talking about "urban legends" until the 1930s and 1940s, but they have existed in some form for thousands of years. Urban legends are simply the modern version of traditional folklore, legends and myths. In most cultures of the world, they have always existed alongside, or in place of, recorded history. Where history is obsessed with accurately writing down the details of events, traditional folklore and legends are characterized by the "oral tradition," the passing of stories by word of mouth.

In old Europe, the deep forests was a mysterious place to people, and there were indeed creatures that might attack you there (the crone Baba Yaga in the ancient slavic folklor, for instance). We do have a lot of fears in common with our ancestors, of course. As is clear in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," the fear of food contamination has been around for quite a while.

Typically, urban legends are characterized by some combination of humor, horror, warning, embarrassment, morality or appeal to empathy. We hear stories and rumours about killers and madmen on the loose, unsafe manufactured products, shocking or funny personal experiences and many other unexplained mysteries of daily life. Sometimes we encounter different oral versions of such stories, and on occasion we may read about similar events in newspapers or magazines; but seldom do we find, or even seek after, reliable documentation. Remember, urban legends aren't defined as false stories, they're defined as stories alleged to be true in the absence of real evidence or proof. The lack of verification in no way diminished the appeal urban legends have for us. We enjoy them merely as stories, and we tend at least to half-believe them as possibly accurate reports.

It might seem unlikely that legends - urban legends at that - would continue to be created in an age of widespread literacy, rapid mass communications and information technology. In fact, information technology actually accelerates the spread of tall tales. In the past 10 years, there has been a huge surge of urban legends on the Internet. The most common venue is forwarded e-mail. This storytelling method is unique because usually the story is not re-interpreted by each person who passes it on. A person simply clicks the "Forward" icon in their e-mail, and types in all his friend's e-mail addresses. Having the original story gives e-mail legends a feeling of legitimacy. You don't know the original author, but they are speaking directly to you.

The most remarkable thing about urban legends is that so many people believe them and pass them on. On the Internet and in universities all over the world, you'll find a lot of people interested in the role of urban legends in modern society. Many folklorists argue that more the more gruesome legends embody basic human fears, providing a cautionary note or moral lesson telling us how to protect ourselves from danger. It does seem to be the case that we have a built-in tendency to interpret life in narrative terms, in spite of how rarely events in the real world unfold in a story-like fashion. Maybe it's a psychological survival tactic. Consider some of the horrifying, absurd, incomprehensible realities we must reckon with during our short sojourns as mortal human beings. Perhaps one of the ways we cope is by turning the things that scare us, embarrass us, fill us with longing and make us laugh into tall tales. We're charmed by them for the same reasons we're charmed by Hollywood movies: good guys win, bad guys get their comeuppance, everything is larger than life and never a loose end is left dangling.

By definition, urban legends seem to have a life of their own, creeping through a society one person at a time. And like a real life form, they adapt to changing conditions. It will always be human nature to tell bizarre stories, and there will always be an audience waiting to believe them. The urban legend is part of our make-up.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Travelling/Подорожі

Almost all people are fond of travelling. It is very interesting to see new places, another towns and countries. People may travel either for pleasure or on business. There are various means of travelling. For me there is nothing like travel by air; it is more comfortable, more convenient and, of course, far quicker than any other means. There is none of the dust and dirt of a railway or car journey, none of the trouble of changing from train to steamer and then to another train.

With a train you have speed, comfort and pleasure combined. From the comfortable seat of a railway carriage you have a splendid view of the whole countryside. If you are hungry, you can have a meal in the dining-car; and if a journey is a long one you can have a wonderful bed in a sleeper.

Travelling by ship is also very popular now. It is very pleasant to feel the deck of the ship under the feet, to see the rise and fall of the waves, to feel the fresh sea wind blowing in the face and hear the cry of the seagulls.

Many people like to travel by car. It is interesting too, because you can see many sights in a short time, you can stop when and where you like, you do not have to buy tickets or carry your suitcases.

A very popular means of travelling is hiking. It is travelling on foot. Walking tours are very interesting. Hitch-hiking is a very popular method of travelling among young people. But it is not as popular in our country as abroad.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:US Armed Forces/Збройні сили США

The Armed Forces of the USA include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The regular components are manned by both men and women who make the military life their profession. Under the Constitution of the United States the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The President is assisted by several agencies - the US Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The Secretary of the Army, a civilian, is the head of the Army. He is assisted by other civilian officials and by the Army Staff.

Americans go to Army because the salary in the Army is stable and high, the meals for soldiers are free. You may travel all over the world because there are a lot of military bases in many countries. You may get a new profession. The Pentagon pays for your University course. And even when you leave the Army, they will take care of you during the rest of your life (special hospitals and so on). Women join the Army because they want to have equal rights with men.

The Pentagon is the military center of the United States. In April 1949, the USA set up a military organization in Europe called NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). There were 12 countries there.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Travel Arrangements/організація поїздок

Traveling is an essential part of any business. Even with new communication technology business people have to travel much as it's particularly important to establish good face-to-face relations with partners, suppliers and customers.

The top priority for business travelers is good organization of their business trip. Generally, that is the responsibility if a Secretary of a Personal Assistant.Travel arrangements involve booking tickets for a plane or train, transport to and from the airport, booking accommodation, making appointments and arranging meetings.

The first thing which the secretary should do is to learn about the destination and the exact dates of the trip.The dates and times of all the journey, appointments, meetings and events should be listened carefully in the itinerary.She should be aware of the number of people who are going to travel and the budget allowed for the trip so that she could book tickets and hotel accommodation properly. Most businessmen prefer air travel as it saves time. Calling a travel agency and booking a package tour which combines air tickets and accommodation is a common practice when making travel arrangements. The secretary should take care of the visas, passports and medical insurance in advance if travel arrangements are made without the involvement of a travel agency.

One more thing which is of great importance is the ability of the secretary to support her boss whenever needed when unexpected things happen.For example, when the flight is delayed or cancelled, she should be ready to make changes in the itinerary, reschedule the appointments and meetings, inform the hotel about the problem.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Travel broadens the mind/Подорожі розширюють кругозір

Everyone needs at least one holiday a year, so when you begin spending sleepless nights thinking about the sun and the sea, when you think longingly of the green countryside and forget the mosquitoes and the boredom, there're no doubt about it – you're ready for a holiday. You need to get away from all your usual routines and get some fresh air and a change of perspective. Travel is necessary for us all. It keeps us from growing stale and old, it develops our imagination, it gives us that movement and change which are necessary to our life. One of the aims of travel is to go in search of beauty. The beauty spots of the world are magnets, which attract travelers year after year. Yet even more valuable for the traveler is the knowledge, which he gets by going among people of different characters and different ways of life. Then there is for the traveler the great joy of coming home again. When his curiosity for new scenes is satisfied, he turns his thought toward home where all the things are the most familiar and he loves them. Therefore, the traveler, besides the delight of travel, has the warmest feeling of returning home.

Traveling nowadays has become an important part of modern life. Millions of people all over the world travel about their own countries and to foreign lands as well. People travel to visit natural destinations such as seas, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, deserts and so on. It's always interesting to discover new things and other ways of life, to meet different people, taste different food, examine various architectural styles, visit museums and picture galleries. It's common knowledge that travelling is a key to understanding other cultures and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world we live in.

Tourism is travelling for pleasure or enjoying yourself away from the place you live in. Nowadays tourism is growing very fast, mostly because people's lifestyles have changed. They don't want to stay at home anymore. To my mind, it's because travelling has become cheaper. What was once the "grand tour", reserved for only the very rich, is now within everybody's grasp. Now nearly everyone can afford traveling around the world. Not only are budget airlines offering cheap fares, but the higher valued airlines as well. In addition, it's easy, faster and you get more freedom while travelling. The main reason for this is the technical superiority. For example, you easily book a ticket through the Internet. You don't face long queues wasting your time. Therefore, it simplifies our life. Another change is money. Now we use handy little plastic cards: you can do purchases around the world without any difficulties or problems with local currency. Not long ago this was unthinkable but today it's reality. So with all of today's technological advances, it has become easier than ever to travel abroad.

Although tourism has many benefits, such as bringing extra money into the local economy, there are also negative effect. Tourism can do all sorts of damage to the environment, the culture and the people of a country, especially in places which aren't prepared for large numbers of holidaymakers. It's important to know how to travel wise. Firstly, you should find out as much about your holiday destination as you can. A guidebook is great place to start. As well as learning about the local places of interest, you can read about the way you will be expected to behave and dress. This can save you from making embarrassing mistakes. The next step is to think about how you spend your money when you are on holiday. Try to put it into the local people's hands. Even in places where you are expected to haggle or bargain, you should always pay a fair price for things. Then, try to have as little effect on the local environment as possible. Try to leave place exactly as you found it. It's necessary to follow this simply rules in order to save the culture and environment of the places you visit and to be welcome wherever we go.
Nowadays people can travel in different ways. They can choose a package tour, when everything is planned without your participation, and a self-tour, when you play it off the cuff.

Traveling yourself gives you the freedom to create you own schedule, do as you please. However, when a trip reveals unexpected joys, adventures and challenges, oftentimes these things are best shared with another person, who can relate to your situation and provide moral support. To ensure that a travel partner is one who can value to your journey, choose a travel companion who has similar travel preferences and personality characteristics. It's importation to find a common interest. I would request my traveling partner to have a lot of energy and be open to seeing and doing a variety of different things. Outgoing without being overbearing or annoying is desirable. Moreover, someone who is easygoing. Life changes, plans change. However, the best traveling partner is someone, who doesn't get ruffled in tough time and can see the light through a dark moment and laugh! Also, and this way be the biggest thing, they have to be pretty tight with their money. In order to have a pleasant time abroad you need to choose the right partner, who can share your interests and can be a good company.

One of the way to travel independent without intrusive travel agents is to go camping. It's the ideal way of spending a holiday for many people nowadays. You see, camping has so much to offer. You enjoy absolute freedom. You have none of the headaches of advance hotel booking or driving around a city at midnight looking for a room. Modern camping sites are well equipped with hot and cold running water and all necessary facilities. But above all, you enjoy tremendous mobility. Moreover, you are active all the time and you are always close to nature. Camping provides you with a real change from everyday living. And that's the essence of true recreation and real enjoyment.
What about a package tour, of course it has many advantages. By choosing a holiday package, you actually get rid of all activities, starting from booking flight tickets, checking out accommodation availability at hotels and booking rooms. Everything will be done on your behalf by the tour operator and would simply be paying the charge. Another big advantage of tour packages is complete tour. At the same time package holidays have a number of disadvantages. To start with, conducted tours to places of interest are carefully censored. The tourist is allowed to see only what the organizers want him to see and no more. A strict schedule makes it impossible for the tourist to wander off on his own. The sad thing about this situation is that it leads to the persistence of national stereotypes. We don't see the people of other nations as they really are, but as we have been brought up to believe they are.
People choose different places to visit. Some are looking for sandy beaches, sparkling waters and cloudless skies. Others rest in spacious and elegant rooms, dine on delicious cuisine or unwind in a relaxing sauna, and the luxurious hotels cater for every need. All adventurous nature lovers who long to escape to a land of endless rivers, bottomless lakes, towering mountains and colossal cliffs choose mostly campsites.

As for me I'd like to visit one of the most gorgeous cities - …
…
I guess everybody will agree that travel broadens the mind. That's true. Getting out of the place where you always live, then going to an unfamiliar place will be a kind of unforgettable experience in your life.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:The Superstitions in Britain/Забобони у Великобританії

There are many superstitions in Britain. But one of the most widely-held is that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house. It will either bring misfortune to the person that opened it or to the household. The person who opens an umbrella in fine weather is very unpopular. It's very unlucky to walk under a ladder. If you must pass under a ladder you can avoid bad luck by crossing your finger and keeping them crossed until you've seen a dog.

The number 13 is said to be unlucky for some. And when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, many of the people prefer to stay at home.

The worst misfortune that can befall you is breaking a mirror. That will bring you seven years of bad luck. This superstition is supposed to have originated in ancient times, because mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods. And at last there is a superstition of touching wood for luck. This measure is most often taken if you have said or done something wrong or stupid.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:The Story of "McDonald's" and "Coca-Cola"/Історія "Макдональдс" і "Кока-Кола"

In 1937 the McDonnald brothers, Dick and Mark, opened little restaurant in California. They served hot dogs and milk shakes. In 1945 they have 20 waiters. All the teenagers in town ate hamburgers there. When the 1948 year came they got paper boxes and bags for the hamburgers. They put the price down from 30 to 15 cents. There were no more waiters — it was self-service. So it was cheaper and faster.

In 1960s the McDonald's company opened hundreds of McDonald's restaurants all over the States. In 1971 they opened restaurants in Japan, Germany and Australia.

Now the McDonald's company opens a new restaurant every 8 hours. There are more than 14,000 restaurants in over 70 countries.The Coca-Cola story began in Atlanta in 1886. John Pemberton invented a new drink. Two of the ingredients were the South American coca leaf and the African cola nut. Pemberton couldn't think of a good name for the drink. Finally, Dr. Pemberton's partner Frank Robinson suggested the name Coca-Cola. Thirty years later the famous Coca-Cola bottle design first appeared.

For many years only Coca-Cola was made. They only introduced new drinks — Fanta, Sprite in the 1960s. The recipe of Coca-Cola is a secret. Today they sell Coca-Cola in 195countries. Hundreds of millions of people from Boston to Beijing drink it every day. It has the most famous trademark in the world.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:The greatest bridge in the world/Найбільший міст у світі

Verrazano, an Italian about whom little is known, sailed into New York Harbour in 1524 and named it Angouleme. He described it as 'a very agreeable situation located within two small hills in the midst of which flowed a great river.' Though Verrazano is by no means considered to be a great explorer, his name will probably remain immortal, for on November 21st, 1964, the longest suspension bridge in the world was named after him.

The Verrazano Bridge, which was designed by Othmar Ammann, joins Brooklyn to Staten Island. It has a span of 4,260 feet. The bridge is so long that the shape of the earth had to be taken into account by its designer. Two great towers support four huge cables. The towers are built on immense underwater platforms make of steel and concrete. The platforms extend to a depth of over 100 feet under the sea. These alone took sixteen months to build. Above the surface of the water, the towers rise to a height of nearly 700 feet. They support the cables from which the bridge has been suspended. Each of the four cables contains 26,108 lengths of wire. It has been estimated that if the bridge were packed with cars, it would still only be carrying a third of its total capacity. However, size and strength are not the only important things about this bridge. Despite its immensity, it is both simple and elegant, fulfilling its designer's dream to create 'an enormous object drawn as faintly as possible'.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:The Royal Family/Королівська родина(сім'я)

At present the British royal family is headed by Queen Elizabeth. When the Queen was born on the 21st of April 1926, her grandfather, King George V, was on the throne and her uncle was his heir. The death of her grandfather and the abdication of her uncle brought her father to the throne as King George VI.As a child she studied constitutional history and law as well as art and music. In addition she learned to ride and acquired her enthusiasm for horses. As she grew older she began to take part in public life, making her first broadcast at the age of 14.

The marriage of the young Princess Elizabeth to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place in November 1947. She came to the throne after her father's death in 1952 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey in June 1953.

Among Queen Elizabeth's many duties are the regular visits she makes to foreign countries, and especially those of the Commonwealth, whose interests and welfare are very important to her. The Queen has allowed the BBC to make a documentary film about the every day of the royal family. She also started the tradition of the "walkabout", an informal feature of an otherwise formal royal visit, when she walks among the public crowds and stops to talk to some people.The annual Christmas broadcast made by the Queen on radio and television has become a traditional and popular feature of the season, and there were widespread celebrations and special programmes of events in 1977 to mark her Silver Jubilee.

The Queen's husband, Duke of Edinburgh was born in 1926 and served in the Royal Navy. He takes a great deal of interest in industry, in the achievements of young people (he founded Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in 1956) and in saving raise wild animals from extinction.The Queen's heir is Charles, Prince of Wales, who was born in 1948, married Lady Diana Spencer and has two children, Prince William and Prince Harry. The Prince of Wales is well-known as a keen promoter of British interest. In recent years he has become outspoken on such controversial topics as modern architecture, violence in films and on television, and the standard of English teaching in schools. His wife Diana, Princess of Wales (often called in mass media Princess Di), won the affection of many people by her modesty, shyness and beauty. Unfortunately, she died in a car accident in August, 1997.

The Queen's other children are Princess Anne (born in 1950), Prince Andrew (born in 1960) and Prince Edward (born in 1964). Anne, Princess Royal, has acquired a reputation for being arrogant, but in recent years has become quite popular with the general public.The Queen is widely known for her interest in horses and horse-racing. She is now president of the Save the Children Fund, Chancellor of the University of London and carries out many public engagements.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. In 1986 he married Miss Sarah Ferguson (Fergie, for short) and has two daughters. Prince Edward is keen on the theatre. This interest began while he was at university. He quit the Royal Marines, and is now pursuing a career with a theatrical company.

The Queen Mother, the widow of the late King George VI, celebrated her one hundred birthday in 2 000 and died in 2002. The Queen's only sister, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, is well-known for her charity work.

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Твір з англійської:The invention of the Computer/Винахід комп'ютера

Personal computers are now commonplace in most homes throughout the world, and are relied on heavily by both individuals and businesses. The invention of the computer is relatively new, emerging into our lives relatively late in the 20th century
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The computer has been another life-transforming invention. British mathematician Charles Babbage designed a form of computer in the mid-1830s, but it was not until more than a century later that theory was put into practice. Now, a whole generation has grown up with calculators, windows, icons, computer games and word processors!

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Персональні комп'ютери стали звичайним явищем в більшості будинків по всьому світі, і в значній мірі "спираються" на обох фізичних і юридичних осіб. Винахід комп'ютера є відносно новим, що виникають в нашому житті порівняно пізно в 20-му столітті.

Комп'ютер мав інше життя - винахід перетворення. Британський математик Чарльз Беббідж розробив форму комп'ютера в середині 1830-х років, але він не був до більш ніж через сторіччя, що теорія була введена в практику. Тепер, ціле покоління виросло з калькуляторами, вікнами, іконами, комп'ютерними іграми і текстовими процесорами!

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