Тексты 1, 2 (a tour around Europe)

Тексты 1, 2 (a tour around Europe)

If you’re planning a round-the-world trip, you’ll need an itinerary. For this list, I picked cities based on how fascinating they are, how amusing they are and how much they have to offer tourists in the way of cuisine, must-see attractions and overall vibe:

1. Berlin, Germany

Once a divided city, Berlin is now bursting with culture, architecture, attractions and festivals for visitors to take in: from the institutions on Museum Island to historical sites like the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall memorial and the many towns squares to the never-ending parties of the city’s many clubs. There’s something to keep visitors occupied day and night. The beer and cuisine in the city go hand in hand to give tourists a taste of authentic Germany.

2. Barcelona, Spain

This Spanish city’s reputation for football fandom precedes it as does its identity as a region that honors both it’s past and future. Nestled [nesld] by Mediterranean Sea and the set of Cosa Ola mountain range Barcelona’s views are spectacular. It’s climate is warm and it’s beaches are breathtaking. But it’s much more than natural landscapes. There are also cathedrals and churches galore, stadiums that have hosted World Cup matches, Olympic Games and stunning architecture everywhere you look. At night, the city’s tapas bar’s and restaurants entice the visitors to savor some of the local flavors.

3. Tokyo, Japan

A mixture of the old world and futuristic technologies, Tokyo is one of the only place you can see a traditional Kabuki show one minute, then find yourself in the Harajuku neighborhood the next. Packed with people, skyscrapers and one of the world’s most state-of-the-art mass transit networks. You’ll also wanna break in traditional Japanese culture while visiting by way of the local shrines, shows, and markets. And let’s not forget about the food. Tokyo is a world capital for a cuisine with almost double Michelin stars of Paris’s restaurants.

4. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Named for it’s beginnings as a dam on the Amstel River, this water-based city is a feat in both architecture and charm. Nicknamed “The Venice of the North” due to it’s many canals, Amsterdam offers a great balance between nature and man-made creations as well as historical and contemporary style. You’ll see world’s oldest stock Exchange, the Anne Frank house and the Van Goth Museum. And I can’t unmention the city’s red-light streets and marijuana cafes.

5. Rome, Italy

Founded in 753 BC, modern and innovative city allows visitors a view of the past. Known for it’s fashion, art and sights like the Coliseum its considered one of the cradles of Western civilization. Rome is also an important religious destination for those interested in the Catholic Church as the city helped shape Christianity as a whole. But a visit to this popular Italian city would not be complete without a glimse of the Roman way of life. And food, drinks, cinema and opera are all essential aspects that cannot be missed. After all, when in Rome.

Текст 4 (discussing Wales)

Wales, constituent [kənˈstɪtjʊənt] unit of the United Kingdom that forms a westward extension of the island of Great Britain. The capital and main commercial and financial centre is Cardiff.

Famed for its strikingly rugged landscape, the small nation of Wales —which comprises six distinctive regions — was one of Celtic Europe’s most prominent political and cultural centres, and it retains aspects of culture that are markedly different from those of its English neighbours.

Although Wales was shaken by the decline of its industrial mainstay, coal mining, by the end of the 20th century the country had developed a diversified economy, particularly in the cities of Cardiff and Swansea [ˈswɒnzɪ], while the countryside, once reliant on small farming, drew many retirees [rɪˌtaɪəˈriːz] from England. Tourism became an economic staple, with visitors — including many descendants of Welsh expatriates [ˌeksˈpætrɪəts] — drawn to Wales’s stately parks and castles as well as to cultural events highlighting the country’s celebrated musical and literary traditions. In the face of constant change, Wales continues to seek both greater independence and a distinct place in an integrated Europe.

Текст 5 (London)

London is the capital of Great Britain and one of the greatest cities in history and modernity. The government works in Westminster, here you can find Buckingham Palace, as well as the best national galleries, museums, theaters and clubs. London is endlessly changing: from a Roman and then early medieval fortress, it has turned into a major city. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, it literally rose from the ashes, surprising everyone with its Baroque [bəˈrɒk] buildings. In the Georgian era, it embodied the dream of elegance, and during the reign of Queen Victoria the city became the personification of the British Empire. Today it is a major financial center.

In London you will find traces of all historical eras. Most of all, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, London National Gallery, Trafalgar Square attract the attention of tourists all over the world. Here you will also find hidden in nooks the Sir John Soane Museum near Lincoln's Inn, unusual buildings on the docks, Chelsea Medicinal Garden and dark-skinned merchants under the dragon arch in Chinatown in Soho.

Most Londoners are conservative and very sensitive to everything that has to do with tradition. Each new skyscraper that grows up in the city causes heated discussions, overgrown with not always disagreeable nicknames, and the new coloring of the classic "black cabs" caused a flurry of indignation here. However, modern architecture and new trends only emphasize the versatility of the city, giving it further distinctive features.

Текст 7 (Minsk)

The history of Minsk reflects the history of Belarus like a mirror. First mentioned in the "Tale of Bygone Years" in 1067, despite its difficult fate, it retained the spirit of a cultured city that values ​​its past and confidently moves into the future.

Minsk experienced a period of prosperity and decline, was both the rich capital of the principality and a provincial town. Wars swept through it like hurricanes, changing absolutely everything beyond recognition: from architecture to the national composition of the inhabitants. Walking around Minsk, one can only be surprised that only 100 years ago, on the site of the majestic Independence Avenue, there was a narrow street with small elegant apartment buildings, and the river of the same name flowed along today's Nemiga Street.

Today's Minsk is the largest city in Belarus, which is visited by tens of thousands of tourists every year. Despite the youth of the architecture, there is a lot to see here.

The Town Hall is a symbol of the fact that the city has self-government, and its residents can independently solve their problems. Minsk received its town hall in 1600. In 1857, by decree of Nikolai I, the building was destroyed, and in 2004, thanks to the preserved drawings, it was restored. The exhibition halls of the Museum of the city of Minsk are located on the first floor of the building.

The recently opened Museum of the History of the World War 2 quickly became one of the most popular attractions in Minsk. 10 huge exhibition halls, the latest technical equipment, abundance of exhibits, including real planes and tanks - all this attracts tourists who want to learn the tragic history of Belarus, where every third inhabitant died during the Second World War.

Despite some distance from the center, the Minsk Zoo is very popular with local residents and guests of the city. In addition to aviaries [ˈeɪvɪərɪz], visitors can visit the exotharium, where the flora and fauna of South America are presented. Here, on the territory of the zoo, there is a dolphinarium. There is a dinosaur park next to the zoo.

Текст 12 (History of the USA)

The history of the USA dates back only to the 15th century. In the 15th century there was no USA at all. The present territory of the USA was divided among some European countries. In the 15th - 16th centuries some territory of the USA belonged to Great Britain (northern and western lands); southern parts (California, Florida, New Mexico, Texas) belonged to Spain, then - to Mexico; the central part, the territory was called Louisiana - to France; Alaska was possessed by Russia; some territories remained to be under Indians control (the so called reservations).

In 18th century there were only thirteen Britain's American colonies and they broke with Great Britain in 1776 and later were recognized as the new nation of the the United States of America, following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th"and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded their frontiers across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions.

There were three most dramatic experiences in the nation's history: the Civil War (1861-1865), the Great Depression of the 1930s and Vietnam War of the 1960s - 70s.
After its victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the USA remains the world's most powerful state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and great advances in technology.

Nowadays USA is world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India). It is about half the size of Russia or lightly larger than China or Brazil.

Тексты 1, 2 (a tour around Europe)

If you’re planning a round-the-world trip, you’ll need an itinerary. For this list, I picked cities based on how fascinating they are, how amusing they are and how much they have to offer tourists in the way of cuisine, must-see attractions and overall vibe:

1. Berlin, Germany

Once a divided city, Berlin is now bursting with culture, architecture, attractions and festivals for visitors to take in: from the institutions on Museum Island to historical sites like the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall memorial and the many towns squares to the never-ending parties of the city’s many clubs. There’s something to keep visitors occupied day and night. The beer and cuisine in the city go hand in hand to give tourists a taste of authentic Germany.

2. Barcelona, Spain

This Spanish city’s reputation for football fandom precedes it as does its identity as a region that honors both it’s past and future. Nestled [nesld] by Mediterranean Sea and the set of Cosa Ola mountain range Barcelona’s views are spectacular. It’s climate is warm and it’s beaches are breathtaking. But it’s much more than natural landscapes. There are also cathedrals and churches galore, stadiums that have hosted World Cup matches, Olympic Games and stunning architecture everywhere you look. At night, the city’s tapas bar’s and restaurants entice the visitors to savor some of the local flavors.

3. Tokyo, Japan

A mixture of the old world and futuristic technologies, Tokyo is one of the only place you can see a traditional Kabuki show one minute, then find yourself in the Harajuku neighborhood the next. Packed with people, skyscrapers and one of the world’s most state-of-the-art mass transit networks. You’ll also wanna break in traditional Japanese culture while visiting by way of the local shrines, shows, and markets. And let’s not forget about the food. Tokyo is a world capital for a cuisine with almost double Michelin stars of Paris’s restaurants.

4. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Named for it’s beginnings as a dam on the Amstel River, this water-based city is a feat in both architecture and charm. Nicknamed “The Venice of the North” due to it’s many canals, Amsterdam offers a great balance between nature and man-made creations as well as historical and contemporary style. You’ll see world’s oldest stock Exchange, the Anne Frank house and the Van Goth Museum. And I can’t unmention the city’s red-light streets and marijuana cafes.

5. Rome, Italy

Founded in 753 BC, modern and innovative city allows visitors a view of the past. Known for it’s fashion, art and sights like the Coliseum its considered one of the cradles of Western civilization. Rome is also an important religious destination for those interested in the Catholic Church as the city helped shape Christianity as a whole. But a visit to this popular Italian city would not be complete without a glimse of the Roman way of life. And food, drinks, cinema and opera are all essential aspects that cannot be missed. After all, when in Rome.