Конкурс на знание лексики и страноведения

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Текст № 1

The UK is most definitely multicultural, and it has always been. For a start, it is (4.1) _____ up of four different nations. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all different countries with different dialects, customs, music, and languages.

When the Romans, Vikings, and Normans (4.2) _____ the UK, they brought their cultures and languages with them and many English words have French, German, or Scandinavian (4.3) _____.

Furthermore, because of its proximity to Europe, the UK has a long (4.4) _____ of trade with other European nations and that inevitably has meant the free movement of people, including marriages.

The British royal family is very multicultural, and that’s even before Meghan Markle. So many of former Kings and Queens have come (4.5) _____ European royal families. For example, Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was Spanish. Britain has even been (4.6) _____ by European monarchs. William I was Norman, and William III was Dutch.

The UK colonial past also explains the multiculturalism. During the British Empire, many Britons went to live and work in colonies around the world and many colonial subjects came to Britain. Even today, former territories and colonies have strong (4.7) _____ to Britain and people continue to migrate. A separate (4.8) _____ shows that over 300 languages are spoken in the UK.

However, this diversity is not evenly (4.9) _____ across the UK. Big cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham are extremely multicultural, but smaller towns and villages are far less so. This is because immigrants have historically flocked to the larger cities in search of work.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in nationalistic sentiment in the UK because some Britons believe that the UK should not be multicultural. But many more Britons believe that their history shows they have always been multicultural and that there are many economic and social (4.10) _____ of being a multicultural nation.

Текст № 2

London’s famous underground railway (4.11) _____ is known as the Tube. It’s absolutely huge and helps over 5 million people (4.12) _____ around the city each day.

If you are a person moving to London with a physical disability, you will be able to use the public transport, including the Tube but be aware you will need to plan your journey in (4.13) _____. All Transport for London staff have had disability equality training and should be able and willing to assist you. You can ask for help with tickets, travel information and (4.14) _____ the train.

The TfL Tube Map shows passengers which of the 78 stations have step-free access for wheelchair users. Stations are marked with a white wheelchair symbol that have platforms with a gap or step to the train. Those stations marked with a blue wheelchair symbol are step-free from street right onto the train.

This Step-free Tube guide shows the height and width of the steps and gaps at accessible stations. As well as the stations where there is no step-free access to street level, but passengers can (4.15) _____ between lines with no steps.

All trains have (4.16) _____ seating, clearly marked next to the doors. These are for disabled people, pregnant women, older people and those travelling with children. Customers are expected to vacate these seats if they see someone who (4.17) _____ a seat. If no one offers, feel free to ask.

If a lift is broken when you (4.18) _____ at a step-free station, ask a member of staff to help you re-plan your journey. If there is a single accessible bus journey to the next step-free station, or your (4.19) _____, then this is the route you will be advised to take. If there is not, London Underground is obliged to order you a taxi at their (4.20) _____.

Текст № 3

Students in England already learn about mathematics, science and history, but hundreds of schools are preparing to expand the traditional (4.21) _____ with a new subject: mindfulness.

In up to 370 English schools, students will start to practice mindfulness as part of a study to (4.22) _____ youth mental health. They will work with mental health experts to learn relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and other (4.23) _____ to help them regulate their emotions. The (4.24) _____ of the program is to study which approaches work best for young people in a world of rapid change. Children will start to be introduced gradually to (4.25) _____ around mental health, well-being and happiness right from the start of primary school.

The initiative comes months after a survey commissioned by the National Health Service found that one in eight children in England between the ages of 5 and 19 (4.26) _____ from at least one mental disorder at the time of their assessment in 2017. Disorders (4.27) _____ anxiety and depression were the most common, affecting one in 12 children and early adolescents in 2017.

Two Parliamentary committees have criticized the government reports on which the program is based, for focusing (4.28) _____ handling emotional problems rather than preventing them. The Government’s strategy lacks ambition and will (4.29) _____ no help to the majority of those children who desperately need it, while increasing the workload of teachers. Social media and the schools’ system of high-pressure exams can have particularly negative effects on the mental health of young people.

Dr. Jessica Deighton, an associate professor in child mental health and well-being at University College London, said that the new initiative was intended to offer (4.30) _____ than quick fixes and it included several tactics, including training teachers to hold role-playing exercises, teaching relaxation practices and inviting professionals for group discussions.

Конкурс письменной речи (Письмо)

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1. The year 2020 was announced “The year of memory and glory” in Russia. What does historical memory mean for you and why is it important to preserve it? Justify your point of view.

2. Many people in Europe nowadays prefer a scooter or an electric scooter to other means of transport. However, some road users are annoyed with these vehicles. What is your opinion on the problem of using these popular means of transport on the roads? Justify your point of view.

3. At the 6^th World Folklore Festival (Folkloriada) in Ufa, the year 2020 was announced “The year of folk art in Russia”. Why is it necessary to preserve the traditions of folk art in the 21st century? Justify your point of view and give examples.

4. Cambridge Dictionary declared “Upcycling”, which means “reuse of materials (things) for the same purpose” and “remake of old materials (things) into something completely new”, as the 2019 Word of the year. Some other most popular words, which were also mentioned, were connected with ecology and climate. Do all these words show real concern about the environment, or are they fashionable, politically coloured? Justify your point of view and give examples.