Тренажёр ЕГЭ Английский язык

Choose the correct answer.

I _ the vase while I _ the bookshelf.

1) broke / was cleaning 

2) broke / cleaned

3) was breaking / was cleaning

Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project "Family chores". You have found some photos to illustrate it but for technical reasons you cannot send them now. Leave a voice message to your friend explaining your choice of the photos and sharing some ideas about the project. In 2.5 minutes be ready to:

• explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences; 
• mention the advantages (1–2) of doing household chores;
• mention the disadvantages (1–2) of doing household chores;
• express your opinion on the subject of the project —  whether children should help around the house and why.

You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.

15. According to the author, the Conservatory is popular with the
1) local people.
2) fans of a famous book.
3) English guides.
4) scholars.

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.

Установите соответствие между заголовками 1-8 текстами A-G. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний.

А. Black Friday is the day after the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Because it is a holiday in the United States, it has long been a popular day for consumers to start shopping for Christmas. Over the last 20 years big retailers have started to offer discounts and bargains on this day, and it has become more and more popular. Last year, people in the USA spent an estimated $54.7 billion between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving, when people often buy more online). The idea of Black Friday has also spread around the world. For example, in 2017, people in the UK spent the equivalent of $10.3 billion, in Germany $7.6 billion and in France $6.2 billion.

B. In the world of fashion, the most important thing is to stand out from the crowd, whilst still looking on-trend. H&M’s latest collaboration with Versace is yet another reminder of this fact. For a short period at least, anyone can pick up a Versace studded leather dress or tropical-print jacket, but the real fun begins when you start to experiment with how to wear it with the clothes you already own and love. Designer collaborations are breaking down fashion barriers, giving everyone from magazine editors to teenagers shopping at the weekend access to clothes which still carry that special ‘limited edition’ feel, but at a fraction of the price. 

C. Charity Shops in the UK are small shops which sell a variety of items donated by the public and the money made helps that charity to continue its valuable work. They are usually run by volunteers. Items sold there are generally a lot cheaper than in high street stores. You can always find a bargain in a charity shop, from a new top to a pair of shoes, a handbag to a piece of jewellery. Knowing that the money you are spending in charity shops is going to a good cause is a great reason to shop there. There are many charities in the UK which rely on charity shops to fund what they do. 

D. In the past few decades, customers are increasingly buying online, and one might think that online shopping is greener than in-store shopping. However, the reality is slightly more complex than that. Customers who choose speedy delivery or those who buy single items from different places also contribute towards increasing the carbon footprint. The carbon footprint also goes up if the customer chooses to return the item. A study in Germany showed that as many as one in three online purchases are returned. According to another study, merchandise worth nearly US$326 million is returned each year in the USA. Two billion kilograms of this ends up in landfill, leading to 13 tonnes of CO2 being released. 

E. Forbes reports that 72% of Instagram users have bought something when using the app and 70% of Pinterest users use the platform to find new and interesting products. When a customer comes to your company, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to find what they need and buy your products. There are so many marketing messages around us every day that people are very good at ignoring them, especially ones about products they're not interested in. So, in order to target the right kind of customer and connect with them, companies are personalising their marketing content. This is made possible by the data that people generate through their internet searches, online shopping habits and social media use. 

F. A different trend is springing up – the 'buy nothing' trend. The idea originated in Canada in the early 1990s and then moved to the US, where it became a rejection of the overspending and overconsumption of Black Friday and Cyber Monday during Thanksgiving weekend. On Buy Nothing Day people organise various types of protests and cut up their credit cards. Throughout the year, Buy Nothing groups organise the exchange and repair of items they already own.The trend has now reached influencers on social media who usually share posts of clothing and make-up that they recommend for people to buy. Some YouTube stars now encourage their viewers not to buy anything at all for periods as long as a year.

G. Many of the major supermarket chains have come under fire with accusations of various unethical acts over the past decade. But they are starting to sit up and take notice: some of the largest UK supermarkets have signed up to a pact promising to transform packaging and cut plastic wastage. In response to criticisms over food waste, some supermarkets are donating some of their food surplus. Some smaller companies are now taking matters into their own hands and offering consumers a greener, more environmentally friendly option.

Образуйте от слова GREAT однокоренное слово так, чтобы оно грамматически и лексически соответствовало содержанию текста.

Remember that the pronunciation of certain English words varies depending on the part of the world it's spoken in. For example, American English differs __________________ from British English.

Внимательно прочитайте текст задания и выберите верный ответ из списка:

What, according to the article, is important for good quality sleep?

1. Higher productivity at work.

2. A five-day working week.

3. Five to seven hours of nighttime sleep.

4. Absence of health problems.

Chronic lack of sleep affects one in three British workers

One in three British workers suffers from poor sleep, research shows, with stress, computers and taking work home blamed for the lack of quality sleep. Some employees get fewer than five hours sleep a night, only one in seven feels completely refreshed when they wake and more women have poor shut-eye than men. The alarming findings emerged from a study of self-assessments completed by 38,784 staff working in the UK for firms such as telecoms firm, O2, drugs developer, Quintiles and medical technology manufacturer, Medtronic.

A third were dissatisfied with the amount and quality of their sleep, with 8.4% saying they were "very unhappy" with it, and another 24.4% describing themselves as "unhappy". When asked how they felt 30 minutes after getting up, only 15.5% said "refreshed". Of the others, 3.3% said they were "exhausted", 24% said "unrefreshed" and 57.2% were still "a little tired".

While experts say that everyone should ideally get seven to eight hours sleep a night, only 38.5% of the 38,784 respondents did so. More had between five and seven hours (45%), only a lucky 10% reported sleeping for eight to nine hours and one in 100 enjoyed more than nine hours.

When researchers combined those results to give each respondent an overall "sleep score" out of 100, some 33.8% got a mark of less than 30 – the lowest category. That means someone either has, or is at high risk of developing, a sleeping problem. "This research is telling us that a large number of working adults, one in three in the UK, has a sleeping problem," said Dr Tony Massey, medical director of Vielife, the health and productivity firm that carried out the assessments between 2009 and 2011. "A very concerning number of British workers get too little sleep." Britain is near the top of an international league table for lack of sleep. A Vielife study of 116,452 staff in America found that 23.4% scored poorly for sleep.

The extent of inadequate rest has prompted fears that many people are too tired to do their jobs properly, with some so sleep-deprived their brains are as confused as if they had consumed too much alcohol.

"Too few people practice sleep hygiene," said Massey. "That involves little things that people can do without professional help, like ensuring your room is dark and quiet, getting to bed at the same time every night – just like a two-year-old – reading a book, which is a proven relaxant, and not looking at bright screens, such as the TV or computer, for an hour before you go to bed as that will disturb your sleep."

The growing tendency for employees to do extra work in the evenings and at weekends, which may have risen in the recession, also seems to be linked to poor sleep. "More people are scrunching the golden hour before they go to sleep, and they are paying the price in that their sleep isn't refreshing and they end up in a vicious cycle of fatigue, poor productivity and then feeling that they have to do the same again the next day to compensate," said Massey.

The best guarantee of good quality shut-eye is to work five days a week and sleep seven to eight hours a night. Five-days-a-week staff had the best sleep score, while those getting seven to eight hours a night scored 72.7.

"These are very worrying findings because lack of sleep is a risk factor for a whole range of serious health problems, such as stroke and heart disease," said Massey.

Imagine that you are doing a project on why computer games are popular among teenagers in Zetland. You have found some data on the subject – the results of the opinion polls (see the table below). Comment on the data in the table and give your opinion on the subject of the project.

The opinion poll question:

" Why do you like computer games?"

Write 200–250 words.

Use the following plan:
– make an opening statement on the subject of the project;
– select and report 2–3 facts;
– make 1–2 comparisons where relevant and give your comments;
– outline a problem that can arise with playing computer games and suggest a way of solving it;
– conclude by giving and explaining your opinion on the role of computer games in teenagers’ life.

Установите соответствие между заголовками 1-8 и текстами A-G. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний.

1. Harvest

2. Etymology

3. Toxicity

4. Growing indoors

5. Breeding

6. Cultivation

7. Culinary uses

8. History

A. The avocado originated in Mexico. The native uncultivated variety is small, with dark black skin, and contains a large seed. The oldest evidence of avocado use, which dates to around 10 000 BC, was found in a cave in Mexico. The avocado tree also has a long period of cultivation in Central and South America. A water jar shaped like an avocado, dating to AD 900, was discovered in the pre-Incan city of Chan Chan.

B. The word ‘avocado’ comes from the Spanish ‘aguacate’. Avocados were known by the Aztecs as ‘the fertility fruit’. In some countries of South America, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, the avocado is known by its Quechua name ‘palta’. The fruit is sometimes called an ‘avocado pear’ or ‘alligator pear’ due to its shape and the rough green skin. It is known as ‘Butter Fruit’ in parts of India.

C. The avocado tree does not tolerate freezing temperatures, and can be grown only in subtropical or tropical climates. High winds reduce the humidity, dehydrate the flowers, and affect pollination. When even a mild frost occurs, premature fruit drop may occur. The trees also need well-aerated soils, ideally more than 1 m deep. These soil and climate conditions are available only in a few areas of the world.

D. An average avocado tree produces about 500 avocados annually. Commercial orchards produce an average of seven tonnes per hectare each year, with some orchards achieving 20 tonnes per hectare. The avocado is a climacteric fruit, which means it matures on the tree, but ripens off the tree. Avocados used in commerce are picked hard and green and kept in coolers until they reach their final destination.

E. Avocados are often grown from pits. This is done by removing the pit from a ripe, unrefrigerated avocado. The pit is placed in a jar or vase with tepid water. In four to six weeks, it should split and out should come roots and a sprout. Once the stem has grown a few inches, it is placed in a pot with soil. It should be watered every few days. Avocados have been known to grow large, so owners must be ready to repot the plant several times.

F. The fruit is not sweet, but fatty, and distinctly yet subtly flavoured. It is used in both savoury and sweet dishes, though in many countries not for both. The avocado is very popular in vegetarian cuisine as a substitute for meats because of its high fat content. Generally, avocado is served raw, though some cultivars can be cooked for a short time without becoming bitter. Avocados are also used to make salads.

G. Avocado leaves, bark, skin, or pit are documented to be harmful to animals. Cats, dogs, cattle, and horses can be severely harmed or even killed when they consume them. Avocado leaves contain a fatty acid derivative, persin, which in sufficient quantity can cause equine colic and, without veterinary treatment, death. Birds also seem to be particularly sensitive to this compound. Negative effects in humans seem to be primarily in allergic individuals.

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 30-36. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 30-36, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов. Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

The old house stood on a hill overlooking the town. 30 ___ it was dilapidated, it possessed a certain charm. 31 ___ the peeling paint and broken windows, the sturdy oak beams suggested a history of resilience. The garden, 32 ___, was overgrown and neglected, a tangled mass of weeds and wildflowers. 33 ___ the interior was dark and dusty, hints of former grandeur remained in the ornate fireplace and the carved wooden staircase. 34 ___, a secret passage was rumored to exist behind the library wall. 35 ___ to its age and mystery, the house had a surprisingly modern kitchen installed by a previous owner. 36 ___, despite all its quirks and imperfections, the house held a captivating allure.

1 In spite of

2 Because of

3 Although

4 However

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.

Summer jobs

    As a high schooler, you may feel as though you lack the necessary experience to land: a prime gig. However, there are plenty of jobs you are qualified for that pay rather well. !

Both part-time and full-time jobs are available for people of all abilities.

    While it may be difficult to know exactly what career you want to pursue when you graduate from high school, summer jobs can offer the perfect opportunity to test a job you think you may like. If you do a great job and are still interested in the line of work once summer is over, you will have some much-needed experience. This can lead to more work next summer, and perhaps a part-time job while you attend school. The pay may not be great (internships are often unpaid) but the experience can be priceless. To find an internship you : would like, you could ask a counselor at school for assistance, call up businesses you find ! interesting and ask whether they are hiring interns, and check out websites, which focus solely on interning.

    If you want to earn some money, babysitter's job is a great choice. Friends of mine with two young children pay their babysitter $15 per hour - that's not a bad pay-rate for a part-time summer job. Ask any parent, and you will find that good babysitters are hard to come by. Do a great job taking care of the kids, and you could find yourself gainfully employed, earning great income and setting your own hours all summer long. Get your certification to further boost your credentials as a prospective nanny. While networking in your neighborhood will probably provide you with plenty of leads, you can also check out some websites to find more.

    If you enjoy being outdoors, going camping and hiking, and playing sports, then working as a camp counselor is the perfect job for you — that is, if you don't mind watching over groups of kids away from their parents for weeks at a time! There are summer camps all over the country designated for almost any activity you could imagine, so you can likely find a perfect match for your interests. Camp counselor salaries vary greatly, especially for employees only working during summer months. However, year-round counselors earn an annual average salary around $23,000, so you could be making some serious money in the few short months of summer.

    Summer is usually spent on vacation, but many students use their summer break to continue or enhance their education. If you are strong in any particular subjects, you could put up notices on bulletin boards around town to offer your services as a tutor. Tutors just starting out can charge around $15 per hour, while those holding advanced degrees and years of experience can charge up to $50 per hour. Along with making good money, you will gain great experience to add to your college applications, and you can set your own hours, leaving, you plenty of time to hang out with friends.

    Summer is a vacation season, so many people hit the road to their favorite destination during those months. But what about their pets? That's where you come in, taking care of the animals that have to stay home while the family goes on vacation. Pet-sitting is a very important job, and you would be entrusted to watch over the animals as if they were your own. Experience with dogs, cats, and other domestic animals is vital, along with any references  you can get from family and friends.

    So why not get some experience and earn money while you have a summer vacation? Who knows, maybe one of your summers will define your future career.

The expression hit the road in "so many people hit the road to" (paragraph 6) is closest in meaning to...

1) have problems.

2) start a journey.

3) plan a vacation.

4) search a helper.