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1.

Buildings
Buildings are the first thing you notice about a town or a city. You can tell whether a city is old or
new by looking at its buildings. In other words, buildings have changed over the years. Lets try to
find out why.

Two things that people have been concerned with (= preoccupied with) are the form and the
function of things. It is easy to see that function is receiving a lot of attention today, unlike in the
past. The main reason for this is the stress that our society places on efficiency.

First of all, our world is more crowded than it was in the past, because the population has grown
a lot. As a result of this, space has to be used more efficiently. The best examples are
apartment buildings (= blocks of flats) and office buildings. These buildings are usually tall, but
they dont occupy so much space on the ground. And, thanks to the development of new
building techniques, it is now possible to build higher and higher blocks.

When one starts to build something, one should also consider (= take into account) the costs.
Ornaments, for instance, are often expensive and usually unnecessary.

But we have left out the most important thing: safety. When it is finished, a building will serve as
a home, a shop, a workplace, etc, and the people inside it must not be at risk.

What can we say about the form of a construction? At the end of the nineteenth century, Louis
Sullivan, an architect from Boston, said that form follows function. He was one of the first
architects who designed skyscrapers and his idea of choosing a form which fits the function is
still shared by architects today.

over the years = de-a lungul anilor


to find out = a afla
preoccupied = preocupai
unlike = spre deosebire de
stress = accent
places = pune
has grown = a crescut
efficiently = n mod eficient
apartment buildings = blocuri de apartamente
blocks = blocuri
flats = apartamente
office buildings = cldiri pentru sedii de firme
thanks to = mulumit
development = dezvoltare
building techniques = tehnici de construcie
higher and higher = tot mai nalte
one = cineva
consider = a lua n considerare
unnecessary = nenecesare
have left = am lsat
safety = siguran
serve = servi
the nineteenth = al nousprezecelea
designed = au proiectat
skyscrapers = zgrie-nori
fits = se potrivete cu
shared = mprtit

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Buildings

Buildings are the first thing ____ notice about a town or a ____. You can tell whether a city ____
old or new by looking at ____ buildings. In other words, buildings have ____ over the years. Lets
try ____ find out why.
Two things that ____ have been concerned with (= preoccupied with) ____ the form and the
function of ____. It is easy to see that ____ is receiving a lot of attention ____, unlike in the past.
The main ____ for this is the stress that ____ society places on efficiency.
First of ____, our world is more crowded than ____ was in the past, because the ____ has grown
a lot. As a ____ of this, space has to be ____ more efficiently. The best examples are ____
buildings (= blocks of flats) and office ____. These buildings are usually tall, but ____ dont
occupy so much space ____ the ground. And, thanks to the ____ of new building techniques, it is
____ possible to build higher and higher ____.

When one starts to build something, ____ should also consider (= take into account) ____
costs. Ornaments, for instance, are often ____ and usually unnecessary.
But we have ____ out the most important thing: safety. ____ it is finished, a building will ____ as
a home, a shop, a ____, etc, and the people inside it ____ not be at risk.
What can ____ say about the form of a ____? At the end of the nineteenth ____, Louis Sullivan,
an architect from Boston, ____ that form follows function. He was ____ of the first architects
who designed ____ and his idea of choosing a ____ which fits the function is still ____ by
architects today.

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Buildings Exercises
Put the following words in the correct order:

over/ other/ buildings /In /changed /the/ words/ years /have


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

out /have/ But/ left/ the/ most/ thing:/ important/ safety/ we


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

live/ I /wanted /wooden/ to /in/ house/ have /always


____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

you /have /Budapest? /been/ to


____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

has /He/ the /exam/ passed


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

neighbourhood /Weve/ were/ in /since/ we/ nine/ lived/ this

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Fill in:
I worry about the children's ________ (the state of being safe) on these busy roads.
My fathers office is situated in a __________ (a very tall building).
The dress_________ (to be of the right size or shape) her perfectly.
The two chemists __________ (to use jointly) the Nobel prize.
The two students share a __________ (an apartment).
Drama reached its highest __________ (a developed state) in the plays of Shakespeare.
We saw a ________( having a relatively great height) woman walking down the street with a stick
in her hand.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. Two things that my parents have been concerned
2. Lets try to find
3. Our son is taller than
4. Thanks to the development
5. We have left
6. She was one of

a)out why tall men usually like short women.


b) with were children safety and development.
c) of new building techniques, it is now possible to build higher and higher blocks.
d) yours, maybe because he plays basketball.
e) the first architects who designed skyscrapers in Manhattan.
f) out the most important thing: safety.

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2. Traffic
If you are under the impression that the roads are getting more and more crowded every
year, you are perfectly right. A lot of people dont like to rely on public transport and prefer
using their own cars. But if we take a look at todays traffic, the car no longer seems to be
such a smart (= clever) choice. If you are driving during rush hour, you have every chance of
getting stuck in traffic. Indeed, traffic jams cause a lot of delays every day.

Many attempts have been made to solve this problem, such as building roads with more
than two lanes and encouraging people to use public transportation. If several people used
the same car, that would also help. But somehow, these attempts do not seem to be
successful.

The ironic thing is that the fastest means of transport in a large city is now the bicycle.
Because a lot of people have begun to ride their bikes on the city streets, the traffic has also
been regulated so as to make bike riding safe. In most cities, there are separate lanes for
cyclists.

At least large trucks are not allowed in the cities. They have to use alternative routes that go
around the city instead of crossing it. Such a route is called bypass. Bypasses are not used
by trucks alone: a lot of drivers prefer using the bypass, either because it enables them to
avoid the crowded areas of the city, or because they do not know the city well enough and
they are afraid they might get lost.
Finally, if youre driving between two cities or two countries, the best thing you can do is to
take the highway: it has many lanes, you can drive very fast, and you dont have to worry
about the cars coming from the opposite direction.

you are under the impression = you have if people used = dac oamenii ar folosi
the impression have begun = au nceput
you are perfectly right = avei perfect regulated = reglementat
dreptate lanes = benzi (de osea)
to rely on = a se baza pe trucks = camioane
smart = deteapt crossing = a traversa
clever = istea bypass = centur
rush hour = ora de maxim aglomeraie alone = doar
stuck = blocat either or = ori ori
traffic jams = blocaje, aglomerri enables = d posibilitatea
delays = ntrzieri get lost = a se rtci
attempts = ncercri highway = autostrad
lanes = benzi de circulaie opposite = opus

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Traffic
If you are under the impression ____ the roads are getting more and ____ crowded every
year, you are perfectly ____. A lot of people dont ____ to rely on public transport and ____
using their own cars. But if ____ take a look at todays traffic, ____ car no longer seems to
be ____ a smart (= clever) choice. If you ____ driving during rush hour, you have ____
chance of getting stuck in traffic. ____, traffic jams cause a lot of ____ every day.
Many attempts have been ____ to solve this problem, such as ____ roads with more than
two lanes ____ encouraging people to use public transportation. ____ several people used
the same car, ____ would also help. But somehow, these ____ do not seem to be
successful.
____ ironic thing is that the fastest ____ of transport in a large city ____ now the bicycle.
Because a lot ____ people have begun to ride their ____ on the city streets, the traffic ____
also been regulated so as to ____ bike riding safe. In most cities, ____ are separate lanes for
cyclists.

At ____ large trucks are not allowed in ____ cities. They have to use alternative ____ that
go around the city instead ____ crossing it. Such a route is ____ bypass. Bypasses are not
used by ____ alone: a lot of drivers prefer ____ the bypass, either because it enables ____
to avoid the crowded areas of ____ city, or because they do not ____ the city well enough
and they ____ afraid they might get lost.
Finally, ____ youre driving between two cities ____ two countries, the best thing you ____
do is to take the highway: ____ has many lanes, you can drive ____ fast, and you dont
have ____ worry about the cars coming from ____ opposite direction.

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Traffic - Exercises

Write five changes that have been made in your city/company/school in the last five
years:
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Fill in:
a) Im ______ ___ you to fix the problem as soon as possible.
b) He drives very fast along the narrow country _________
c) We were stuck in a ________ ______ for an hour yesterday.
d) This is her second ____________ at the exam.
e) Computerization should ____________ us to work faster.
f) Tell him to _________ _________ ! I dont want to see him again.

Match the beginning of each sentence with the appropriate ending:

1. Pete was under


2. The scalpel enables surgeons
3. We told the doctor to get
4. Rescuers make
5. Success may be the ability to be happy with whatever we're stuck
6. The doctor was worried

a) about the operation.


b) new attempt to find miners
c) to open and repair the heart.
d) lost because we didnt want him around.
e) the impression that they were heading towards the pub.
f) with. (Marilyn vos Savant)

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3. Objects?
The fact is (= the truth is) that the car has become too important for us to stop using it. It is
no longer just a means of transport, it has become a symbol in our society. Most of the
times, it is a status symbol, but it often reflects the personality of its owner, too. More than
that, carmakers (= car manufacturers) claim that their cars have a personality of their own.
Of course, that personality doesnt come free: if you want to be the owner of a BMW or a
Mercedes, youll have to be prepared to pay more.

But cars are only one such example, and not necessarily the best one. Take for example
computers. Quite a lot of people will go for the best one they can afford, even if its
capabilities clearly exceed their needs. Following the same pattern, they will probably want
the largest house they can buy, the most expensive stereo, the smallest cell phone, and so
on.

Why is that? Is it peoples desire to HAVE? It might go deeper than that: it might be their
desire to BE. The explanation is simple: we are often judged according to what we have.
Our possessions are easy to assess, and most people will not look deeper than that. If you
own valuable things, chances are people will look up to you. In peoples eyes, there seems
to be a transfer of qualities from the object to its owner.

With this in mind, can we say that objects rule our lives? Have we created our own masters?
Its a rather scary thought

the fact is = adevrul este exceed = depesc


for us to stop = ca s ne oprim pattern = model
status = statut stereo = combin muzical
owner = proprietar desire = dorin
carmakers = fabricanii de maini deeper = mai adnc
manufacturers = fabricani judged = judecai
of their own = a lor, proprie to assess = a estima
free = gratuit valuable = valoroase
necessarily = n mod necesar chances are = sunt anse ca
will go for = vor ncerca s obin will look up to = vor admira
capabilities = capaciti rule = conduc, stpnesc

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Objects?
The fact is (= the truth ____) that the car has become too ____for us to stop using it. ____is
no longer just a means ____transport, it has become a symbol ____our society. Most of the
times, ____is a status symbol, but it ____ reflects the personality of its owner, ____. More
than that, carmakers (= car manufacturers) ____ that their cars have a personality ____ their
own. Of course, that personality ____ come free: if you want to ____ the owner of a BMW or
____ Mercedes, youll have to be ____ to pay more.

But cars are ____ one such example, and not necessarily ____ best one. Take for example
computers. ____ a lot of people will go ____ the best one they can afford, ____ if its
capabilities clearly exceed their ____. Following the same pattern, they will ____ want the
largest house they can ____, the most expensive stereo, the smallest ____ phone, and so
on.
Why is ____? Is it peoples desire to HAVE? ____ might go deeper than that: it ____ be their
desire to BE. The ____ is simple: we are often judged ____ to what we have. Our
possessions are ____ to assess, and most people will ____ look deeper than that. If you
____ valuable things, chances are people will ____ up to you. In peoples eyes, ____ seems
to be a transfer of ____ from the object to its owner.
____ this in mind, can we say ____ objects rule our lives? Have we ____ our own masters?
Its a ____ scary thought

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Objects? Exercises

Fill in with the appropriate words:


a) Hed always __________________ (admire and respect) his uncle.
b) Few people are able to _________(be able to buy something) cars like that.
c) He was able to provide the police with some ______________ (very important)
information.
d) Are you planning to ____________ (try to achieve something) that scholarship?
e) We need to __________ whether the project is worth doing.

Match the beginning of each sentence with the appropriate ending.


1. The fact
2. I think it is too late for
3. I think both chess players will go
4. The weather forecast said that chances
5. My grandfather has never had a phone of
6. I will always look

a) are that it will rain tonight.


b) for the first prize this year.
c) up to my Romanian teacher. She convinced me this is a great job.
d) is nothing can be said after the wedding.
e) us to stop and think of the consequences.
f) his own.

Put the words in order so to make sentences:

$ /final /exceed /cost /should/ The /not/ 5000/


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
apartment /wanted /his /an/ He/ of /own/
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
mother /I /looked /have /to /my/ grandfathers /up/ always/
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Olympic /for /The/ at/team/ will /go /the/gold/ the /Olympic /Romanian/Games/medal/
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
theyll/ late /are/ be /anyway/ Chances/
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
today /cold / rather,/ it? /Its/ isnt/
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
their /queens /modern /rule /formal/ countries /only/ Most /in a /way/
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

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4. Tourism
Relaxation is good for our health, we are all aware of that. And since getting away from home
is usually a relaxing experience, a lot of people like to spend their vacation travelling. As a
consequence, tourism has developed a lot and it is becoming better organized each year.
New resorts are flourishing everywhere. Governments and business owners are investing
massively in this promising field.
Before you decide where you want to go, you need to know your options well. This is not at all
difficult, as (= since) there are a lot of brochures and catalogues that draw your attention to
exotic places where you can have a holiday to remember. Whether youre rich or poor, theres
always a place you can choose.
Before going away, people usually arrange for transportation and make hotel reservations. If
you dont want to do all that yourself, you can always turn to a travel agency and let them take
care of it for you. But you need to do that in time, to avoid the risk of hotels being already
booked to capacity. Another reason why it might be wise to travel through an agency is that
they are familiar with the place you want to go (to) and you can ask them to tell you the good
parts as well as the bad ones. Usually, the information you get from them is more reliable
than what you read in brochures: an agency is less likely to lie to its clients, because that
would build it a bad reputation.
Some countries have benefited a lot from tourism. Think of Spain, Greece or Tunisia for
example. Their beautiful landscapes, combined with high-quality tourism services, have
enabled their economy to recover from a critical phase. These days (= nowadays), they are
drawing (= they are attracting) more and more tourists from all over the world. Of course,
vacations in these countries have also become more expensive.
So, whats your destination this summer?

aware of = contieni de take care = a se ocupa


getting away = a evada booked = rezervate
relaxing = relaxant wise = nelept
has developed = s-a dezvoltat reliable = de ncredere, fiabile
are flourishing = nfloresc, prosper, sunt likely = probabil
n plin dezvoltare to lie = a mini
as = deoarece benefited = beneficiat
to draw = a (a)trage landscapes = peisaje
to remember = de neuitat critical = critic
turn to = apela la

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Tourism
Relaxation is good for our health, ____ are all aware of that. And ____ getting away from
home is usually ____ relaxing experience, a lot of people ____ to spend their vacation
travelling. As ____ consequence, tourism has developed a lot ____ it is becoming better
organized each ____. New resorts are flourishing everywhere. Governments ____ business
owners are investing massively in ____ promising field.
Before you can decide where you ____ to go, you need to know ____ options well. This is
not at ____ difficult, as (= since) there are ____ lot of brochures and catalogues that ____
your attention to exotic places where ____ can have a holiday to remember. ____ youre rich
or poor, theres ____ a place you can choose.
Before ____ away, people usually arrange for ____ and make hotel reservations. If ____
dont want to do all that ____, you can always turn to a ____ agency and let them take care
____ it for you. But you need ____ do that in time, to avoid ____ risk of hotels being already
booked ____ capacity. Another reason why it might ____ wise to travel through an agency
____ that they are familiar with the ____ you want to go (to) and ____ can ask them to tell
you ____ good parts as well as the ____ ones. Usually, the information you get ____ them is
more reliable than what ____ read in brochures: an agency is ____ likely to lie to its clients,
____ that would build it a bad ____.
Some countries have benefited a lot ____ tourism. Think of Spain, Greece or ____ for
example. Their beautiful landscapes, combined ____ high-quality tourism services, have
enabled their ____ to recover from a critical phase. ____ days (= nowadays), they are
drawing (= they ____ attracting) more and more tourists from ____ over the world. ____
course, vacations in these countries have ____ become more expensive.
So, whats ____ destination this summer?

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Tourism - Exercises

Put the words in the right order.

health for good is relaxation good our


__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
of their traveling a people spend like vacation to lot
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
a you agency turn travel can to always
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
your destination so what is summer this
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Well need options you your to know
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
make you advance hotel you did in reservations
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Choose a word beginning with the given letter:

They b _ _ _ _ d a table for two in their favorite restaurant to celebrate their engagement .
A w_ _ _ person thinks a lot and says little.
Usually children t _ _ _ t_ their parents whenever they have a problem.
It is li_ _ _ _ that it will rain tomorrow so put an umbrella in your luggage too.
I m afraid my watch is not re_ _ _ _ _ _, could you please tell me what time it is?
We were not a _ _ _ e of the late hour so we lost the last tram.
The l _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ was so beautiful that we decided to stay one more week in our summer
vacation.
I will g_ _ a _ _ _ from work as soon as possible and leave for the Bora Bora islands.
What d _ _ w my attention was that the shoplifter was wearing a very scruffy and large jacket.

What kind of questions could these answers have?

We are taking a trip to South America this autumn together with our family.
I work as an assistant manager so my job requires a lot of travelling.
Our staff is leaving to Europe for a short vacation this week.
They are offering catalogues and brochures to advertise their travel agency.
We always book our hotel rooms in advance before leaving home.
Spain, Greece and Tunisia are benefiting a lot from tourism.
A lot of people like to spend their vacation traveling.

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5. Communication
Julia comes from a small town in Italy. She is a psychologist and works for a research centre
in Rome. Recently, she came to Romania to do some research. During her stay, she also
enrolled in an English course. Now she is back in Italy for a few weeks.

How is it possible for Julia to stay in touch with the people at the research centre while she is
in Romania? And how can she communicate with her colleagues from the English course
while she is in Italy? Who is paying her phone bills?

In recent years, communication has got much easier, faster, cheaper, and more diverse. We
have a wide range of options to choose from: telephone, e-mail, fax. Your company can have
offices in ten different countries and you can still know what is going on in each of them all the
time. Almost everyone has a cell phone (= a mobile phone) and an e-mail address is no
longer something unusual. You can have a conference with participants from all over the
world without anyone having to travel a single mile. People are not hard to reach if they are
needed urgently, wherever they might be.

However, being reachable is not always enough to help us communicate. Advanced


technology is not the solution to all problems. While communication is technically much easier
today, people are still confronted with the century-old difficulty of finding a good way to
express themselves. Sometimes, talking to someone is just as difficult whether they are miles
away or right in front of you. Thats one problem we have to fix ourselves.

psychologist = psiholog single = singur


research = cercetare mile = mil
stay = edere to reach = de gsit, de ajuns la
enrolled = s-a nscris reachable = uor de gsit
in touch = n legtur confronted = confruntai
bills = facturi century-old = de secole
wide = larg to express = a exprima
range = gam
unusual = neobinuit

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Communication

Julia comes from a small town ___ Italy. She is a psychologist and ___ for a research centre
in Rome. ___, she came to Romania to do ___ research. During her stay, she also ___ in an
English course. Now she ___ back in Italy for a few ___.
How is it possible for Julia ___ stay in touch with the people ___ the research centre while
she is ___ Romania? And how can she communicate ___ her colleagues from the English
course ___ she is in Italy? Who is ___ her phone bills?
In recent years, ___ has got much easier, faster, cheaper, ___ more diverse. We have a
wide ___ of options to choose from: telephone, ___, fax. Your company can have offices
___ ten different countries and you can ___ know what is going on in ___ of them all the
time. Almost ___ has a cell phone (= a mobile ___) and an e-mail address is no ___
something unusual. You can have a ___ with participants from all over the ___ without
anyone having to travel a ___ mile. People are not hard to ___ if they are needed urgently,
wherever ___ might be.
However, being reachable is not always ___ to help us communicate. Advanced technology
___ not the solution to all problems. ___ communication is technically much easier today,
___ are still confronted with the century-___ difficulty of finding a good way ___ express
themselves. Sometimes, talking to someone ___ just as difficult whether they are ___ away
or right in front of ___. Thats one problem we have ___ fix ourselves.

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Communication - Exercises
Try to match the definitions with the words they apply to:

1. research a) having a large distance from one side to the


other
2. stay b) easy to arrive at
3. enrol c) a detailed study of a subject
4. to be in touch d) to show a feeling or opinion
5. bill e) a set of similar things
6. wide f) a period of time that you spend in a place
7. range g) to continue to communicate with somebody
8. reachable h) request of money owed
9. to express i) to put yourself on the official list of a course,
college or group

Can you still remember the words?


Is it too late to e _ _ _ _ _ to the college or I still have a chance?
The Madagascar island is r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ only by aeroplane or ship.
We usually keep i_ t_ _ _ _ by e-mail or cell phone and meet twice a year.
It is better to do your shopping in this supermarket as it has a w _ _ _ range of products.
Parents are c_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ d with all kinds of situations when their sons reach adolescence.
During our s _ _ _ we will visit the whole resort and the surroundings.
I was so embarrassed because I left the restaurant and forgot to pay the b_ _ _.
She is so involved in her r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ that she sometimes forgets to eat.
It is very _ _ u _ _ _ l to write letters nowadays when there is the e-mail and the fax.

Which of the words best complete the sentences? Underline or circle them. One
sentence takes two variants.
The fax is very fast/ reliable/ easy if you receive a confirmation from the recipient.
You need to inform your colleges/ colleagues/ collegs about your absence on Monday.
The means of communication are quite different/ diverse/ wide.
We solved the car problem each other/ ourselves/ weselves so the mechanic came for
nothing.
The couple stay in communication/ in contact/ in touch by using the Internet.
Although we are miles ago/ away / aparted we have teleconferences once a month with our
partners in China.

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6. Its a small world, isnt it?

I have just returned from a lovely vacation in sunny Spain, where I spent 10 wonderful days in
the hot sun. One day after I arrived (one day after my arrival), I was enjoying a glass of beer
outside a caf, when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned around and, to my surprise, I
saw a neighbour of mine sitting at one of the other tables. He was just as surprised as me,
because neither of us expected to see familiar faces in a place so far (= far away) from home.
When we saw each other (= one another), we both remarked, Small world, isnt it?

Actually, its not. The Earth is not really small, but it seems that way because it is a lot easier
for us to travel nowadays. You can fly over oceans or across continents in a few hours. In
some cities, there are railways under the ground; subway trains can go a lot faster because
they are not moving through crowded places. However remote your destination (is), no
journey takes days anymore. All these things make long distances seem shorter and give us
the illusion that the world is small.

As a consequence, it has become almost common to have friends far (= far away) from where
we live: we can e-mail, we can telephone, and we can even visit one another occasionally.
Wouldnt you say thats a good thing?

lovely = foarte frumoas


arrival = sosire
turned around = m-am ntors
to my surprise = spre surprinderea mea
neither = nici unul
expected = se atepta
earth = pmnt
that way = aa
across = de-a lungul
railways = ci ferate
subway trains = metrouri
remote = ndeprtat, la distan
journey = cltorie

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Its a small world, isnt it?
I have just returned from a ____ vacation in sunny Spain, where I ____ 10 wonderful days in
the hot ____. One day after I arrived (one ____ after my arrival), I was enjoying ____ glass of
beer outside a caf, ____ I heard a familiar voice behind ____. I turned around and, to my
____, I saw a neighbour of mine ____ at one of the other tables. ____ was just as surprised
as me, ____ neither of us expected to see ____ faces in a place so far (=____ away) from
home. When we saw ____ other (= one another), we both remarked, ____ world, isnt it?
Actually, its ____. The Earth is not really small, ____ it seems that way because it ____ a lot
easier for us to ____ nowadays. You can fly over oceans ____ across continents in a few
hours. ____ some cities, there are railways under ____ ground; subway trains can go a ____
faster because they are not moving ____ crowded places. However remote your destination
(____), no journey takes days anymore. All ____ things make long distances seem shorter
____ give us the illusion that the ____ is small.
As a consequence, it has become ____ common to have friends far (= far ____) from where
we live: we can ____, we can telephone, and we can ____ visit one another occasionally.
Wouldnt you ____ thats a good thing?

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Its a small world, isnt it? - Exercises
Match the sentences to their ending:

They are building a new bridge before taking this vacation


Actually, I never spoke to my neighbour we take the subway trains to work
The University of Manitoba is a very let small children in a nursery during
work
In order to avoid heavy traffic remote place to do your studies
It is very common nowadays for parents to we occasionally take the car and have
small journeys
The team did not expect to across Bega River
We dont want any routine in our lives so have such a lovely reception

Write about a funny thing that happened to you on one of your holidays. Mention the
place and the people involved.
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Now imagine you are interviewing your colleague on the same subject. Think of five
questions to ask.
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7. Crime and Punishment
Hello, this is April Turner. Welcome to Channel 9 News.
A street fight broke out in the city centre this morning. The police came and made a few
arrests.
Meanwhile, just a few streets away, a food store was robbed by three armed men. They
threatened to kill the saleswoman if she didnt give them the money. When the police
arrived, the robbers were already gone. There is no obvious link (= connection) between the
two incidents, but the police are still investigating that possibility. Police officer Robert Parker
will join us for an interview later on.

Obviously, our world is not a very safe place. But it would be even less safe if there were no
laws to protect us against crime. This protection is far from perfect, but the fear of punishment
is sometimes enough to make people think twice before committing a crime.
The punishment itself can take many different forms, depending on how serious the crime is:
a fine, certain restrictions or, if the crime is serious, even jail (= prison). For murder, there is
still a death penalty in some countries.

However, a criminals fate is less hard today than in the past. Before a sentence is
pronounced, they have the right to a fair trial. Throughout that trial, the defendant is presumed
innocent until proven guilty. This is to prevent innocent people from being convicted for
something they havent done.

In the past, prisons used to be horrible places. Today, convicts enjoy reasonable living
conditions the period of time they have to spend in jail is seen as rehabilitation rather than
punishment. Some prisons have all kinds of facilities libraries, Internet, gyms. The only thing
convicts cant do is go outside the prisons walls but even that is painful enough.

crime = infraciune depending on = n funcie de


punishment = pedeaps fine = amend
fight = lupt restrictions = restricii
broke out = a izbucnit jail = nchisoare
police = poliia prison = nchisoare
arrests = arestri murder = crim, omor
meanwhile = ntre timp penalty = pedeaps
store = magazin fate = soart
robbed = jefuit sentence = sentin
armed = narmai fair = corect, cinstit
threatened = au ameninat trial = proces
to kill = a ucide throughout = pe toat durata
saleswoman = vnztoare defendant = acuzat
robbers = jefuitori presumed = presupus
obvious = evident proven = dovedit
link = legtur to prevent = pentru a preveni
later on = mai trziu n emisiune convicted = condamnai
fear = team convicts = pucriai
twice = de dou ori libraries = biblioteci
think twice = a se gndi bine painful = dureros
itself = nsi, n sine

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Crime and Punishment

Hello, this is April Turner. ___ to Channel 9 News.


A street ___ broke out in the city centre ___ morning. The police came and made ___ few
arrests.
Meanwhile, just a few ___ away, a food store was robbed ___ three armed men. They
threatened to ___ the saleswoman if she didnt give ___ the money. When the police
arrived, ___ robbers were already gone. There is ___ obvious link (= connection) between
the two ___, but the police are still investigating ___ possibility. Police officer Robert Parker
will ___ us for an interview later on.

___, our world is not a very ___ place. But it would be even ___ safe if there were no laws
___ protect us against crime. This protection ___ far from perfect, but the fear ___
punishment is sometimes enough to make ___ think twice before committing a crime.
___ punishment itself can take many different ___, depending on how serious the crime ___:
a fine, certain restrictions or, if ___ crime is serious, even jail (= prison). ___ murder, there is
still a death ___ in some countries.
However, a criminals ___ is less hard today than in the ___. Before a sentence is
pronounced, they ___ the right to a fair trial. ___ that trial, the defendant is presumed ___
until proven guilty. This is to ___ innocent people from being convicted for ___ they havent
done.
In the past, ___ were horrible places. Today, convicts enjoy ___ living conditions the
period of time ___ have to spend in jail is ___ as rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Some ___ have all kinds of facilities libraries, ___, gyms. The only thing convicts cant do
___ go outside the prisons walls but ___ that is painful enough.

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Crime and Punishment - Exercises

What synonyms groups do the words below belong to?


a) Threaten 1) illegality, lawbreaking
b) Crime 2) opportunity, resource
c) Fate 3) during, in the meantime
d) Obvious 4) clear, easy to see
e) Meanwhile 5) destiny, fortune
f) Facilities 6) intimidate, endanger
g) Convicted 7) guilty, condemned

Complete the following sentences with suitable words beginning with the given letter
The old photograph brought back p_ _ _ _ _ _ memories.
He has twice been c_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of robbery.
The defendant is accused of a range of c_ _ _ _ _.
We want to decide our own f_ _ _.
War b_ _ _ _ o_ _ in 1914.
Carl's starting college in September. M_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, he's travelling around Europe.
They t_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the shopkeeper with a gun.
We are in big trouble this time. There is no o_ _ _ _ _ _ solution to our problem.
If found guilty, he faces six months in jail and a severe f_ _ _.

Think of five ways in which you could fight crime in Timisoara.


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8. A Lifeguards Day
Most people will associate words like ocean and beach with the idea of fun and relaxation.
But for others, its a job.

Jack Stevenson is a lifeguard at a small beach club on the Canadian coast. His job is to keep
an eye on (= to watch) the people swimming or bathing, to warn them about the danger of
drowning, and to rescue them if they ignore his warnings and cannot swim to the shore by
themselves.

Contrary to what some people might think, that is no easy job (= that is not an easy job at all).
First of all, it requires excellent physical abilities. Jack trains every day in order to stay in
shape. He holds two local records for swimming and running one of the reasons why he is
one of the best lifeguards at the club.

But his job also involves great responsibility. Humans and nature are equally unpredictable,
and the lifeguard must work with both.

Last, but not least, his job is not at all risk-free. Unlike the other people on the beach, Jack
cannot follow his own advice, and risks his life every time someone is in danger. That makes
him what some (= some people) might call a hero but if you tell him that, he will shake his
head and say, Im just doing my job.

Sometimes, he gets greetings and e-mails or letters from the people he once rescued. But
the highest reward you could ever get, he says, is to see someone breathing again after
youve pulled them out of the ocean. Someones life is in your hands for a few critical minutes,
and there is nothing that can compare to the joy of saving it.

lifeguard = salvamar trains = se antreneaz


coast = coast holds = deine
to keep an eye on = a supraveghea running = alergare
swimming = care noat involves = implic
bathing = care se scald equally = la fel de
to warn = a avertiza unpredictable = imprevizibili
danger = pericol least = cel mai puin
drowning = a se neca risk-free = fr riscuri
to rescue = a salva shake = scutura
warnings = avertismentele reward = rsplat
shore = rm breathing = respirnd
requires = necesit have pulled = ai tras

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A Lifeguards Day
Most people will associate words like ___ and beach with the idea of ___ and relaxation.
But for others, it___ a job.
Jack Stevenson is a ___ at a small beach club on ___ Canadian coast. His job is to ___ an
eye on (= to watch) the ___ swimming or bathing, to warn them ___ the danger of drowning,
and to ___ them if they ignore his warnings ___ cannot swim to the shore by ___.
Contrary to what some people might ___, that is no easy job (= that ___ not an easy job at
all). ___ of all, it requires excellent physical ___. Jack trains every day in order ___ stay in
shape. He holds two ___ records for swimming and running one ___ the reasons why he
is one ___ the best lifeguards at the club.
___ his job also involves great responsibility. ___ and nature are equally unpredictable, and
___ lifeguard must work with both.
Last, ___ not least, his job is not ___ all risk-free. Unlike the other ___, on the beach, Jack
cannot follow ___ own advice and risks his life ___ time someone is in danger. That ___ him
what some (= some people) might ___ a hero but if you tell ___ that, he will shake his
head ___ say, Im just doing my ___.
Sometimes, he gets greetings and e-mails ___ letters from the people he once ___. But the
highest reward you could ___ get, he says, is to see ___ breathing again after youve
pulled ___ out of the ocean. Someones life ___ in your hands for a few ___ minutes, and
there is nothing that ___ compare to the joy of saving ___.

Englez2 BABEL Center


A Lifeguards Day Exercises
Match the following words with their definitions:

1) lifeguard a) impossible to foretell


2) to involve b) benefit resulting from some event or action
3) shore c) no risks involved
4) to warn d) have or possess
5) reward e) a person on a beach or pool whose job is to
protect swimmers from accidents
6) to hold f) to help someone out of a dangerous or
harmful situation
7) risk-free g) the land along the edge of a sea, lake or river
8) to keep an eye on h) notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
9) unpredictable i) to include someone or something in
something
10) to rescue j) to watch or look after something or someone

Circle the right answer:


1) Dont worry! Just put your hands on the side of the pool and I _______out of the
water.
a) pull b) pluck

2) There's a _______________for whoever finishes first.


a) rewire b) reward

3) This job _________a lot of personal sacrifice.


a) involves b) invokes

4) Palma de Mallorca is a wonderful resort. You can walk for miles along
the__________.
a) shores b) sores

5) Call for help! Somebody is________ in the lake.


a) drawing b) drowning

6) The weather there can be a bit ___________- one minute it's blue skies and the next
minute it's pouring down.
a) predictable b) unpredictable

7) The government has refused to___________ the company from bankruptcy.


a) reschedule b) rescue

Match the sentences to their ending

Football players can be helped in order I must warn you about the dog.
Mother told me to keep an eye of playing music together.
Learning German is nothing compare to keep violence off the sport field.
Before you go into the house, themselves, it might be dangerous.
They were united by the joy on my sister while she was shopping.

What she told me was contrary to everything I had ever heard.


You shouldnt let the children play by to learning English.

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9. The environment
7 a.m. Time to get up and get ready for work. For some, an exciting day is about to begin. For
others, a good nights sleep has just ended. How you look at it greatly depends on what work
means to you.
Not so long ago, work was just another obligation, a boring eight hours away from the things
people truly enjoyed. This perspective is slowly changing, partly because people are more
interested in building a career, partly because employers are trying to provide a pleasant and
relaxing working environment for their employees.

At some point, people realized that the environment in which they live and work can greatly
determine their mood. First, they changed their homes. The mere fact of having a roof above
their head no longer satisfied them, so they started to alter things here and there. As the
economic welfare grew, people could afford to buy things to their taste: they could decide the
style of their furniture, whether or not they wanted to cover their floors with carpets, the shape
and size of the curtains, and so on. It was the beginning of what we call interior decorating. It
wasnt long before the art of interior decorating acquired scientific elements, too, involving
architects and psychologists besides designers.

The phenomenon expanded, and offices gradually began to change their look. Sitting at a
desk for an average of eight hours each day cannot be too exciting. But change the lighting a
bit, add some plants, place a photo of your beloved ones on the desk, write on green sheets
(or whatever colour you like), and you may leave the office feeling fresh and relaxed. Thats
because time flies when youre having fun, and work, as people have rather recently
discovered, can and should be fun.
7:40 already? Id better go, or Ill be late for work!

environment = mediu welfare = bunstare


exciting = palpitant acquired = a dobndit
greatly = n mare msur expanded = s-a extins
truly = cu adevrat gradually = treptat
employers = angajatori look = nfiare
to provide = a furniza, a oferi desk = mas de birou
employees = angajai average = medie
mood = dispoziie lighting = iluminat
mere = simplu place = pune
roof = acoperi beloved = iubit(), iubii(te)
above = deasupra sheets = coli
to alter = a modifica

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The environment

7 a.m. Time to get up ____ get ready for work. For some, ____ exciting day is about to
begin. ____ others, a good nights sleep has ____ ended. How you look at it ____
depends on what work means to ____ .
Not so long ago, work was ____ another obligation, a boring eight hours ____ from the
things people truly enjoyed. ____ perspective is slowly changing, partly because ____ are
more interested in building a ____ , partly because employers are trying to ____ a pleasant
and relaxing working environment ____ their employees.
At some point, people ____ that the environment in which they ____ and work can greatly
determine their ____ . First, they changed their homes. The ____ fact of having a roof
above ____ head no longer satisfied them, so ____ started to alter things here and ____ .
As the economic welfare grew, people ____ afford to buy things to their ____ : they could
decide the style of ____ furniture, whether or not they wanted ____ cover their floors with
carpets, the ____ and size of the curtains, and ____ on. It was the beginning of ____ we
call interior decorating. It wasnt ____ before the art of interior decorating ____ scientific
elements, too, involving architects and ____ besides designers.
The phenomenon expanded, and ____ gradually began to change their look. ____ at a
desk for an average ____ eight hours each day cannot be ____ exciting. But change the
lighting a ____ , add some plants, place a photo ____ your beloved ones on the desk,
____ on green sheets (or whatever colour ____ like), and you may leave the office ____
fresh and relaxed. Thats because time ____ when youre having fun, and work, ____
people have rather recently discovered, can ____ should be fun.
7:40 already? Id ____ go, or Ill be late for work!

Englez2 BABEL Center


The environment Exercises
Complete the following sentences with suitable words beginning with the given letter.
He a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the firm in 1978.
The air in the balloon e_ _ _ _ _ _ when heated.
These organizations have fought very hard for the rights and w_ _ _ _ _ _ of immigrants.
We need a reference from your former e_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
This booklet p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ useful information about local services.
The office is quite bright and airy - it's a pleasant working e_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
She's in a bad m_ _ _.
The application form was a single s_ _ _ _ of paper.
In western Europe, a 7- to 8-hour working day is about the a_ _ _ _ _ _.

Put the words in the right order:

Have you sheet so can write I my you address do a?


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Nowadays becoming environment are people concerned more about the


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Whole the business his country expanded in


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Cant her a when bad is talk in you to she in mood


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Government services cant the good provide social


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Doubled last the number employees company the year of


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All to clothes when to lost I my weight I had alter


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Twice you this changed your month look !


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10. Time management
Lets see: pick up the kids from school do the shopping pay a visit to uncle Henry to see
how he is doing oh, no! The deadline for my assignment is tomorrow! Ill have to postpone
the appointment at the beauty shop, or Ill never get all these things done!
Does that sound familiar? What is going on?

Setting aside some bold yet unproved theories which claim that time is shrinking, there
seems to be just one realistic explanation: we have to take on so many tasks each day, that
it becomes harder and harder for us to cope with all of them. Todays tight schedule is
turning us all into managers: the managers of our own time. Thats easier said than done. Or
is it?

Haste is usually not the solution. When we do things too quickly, we tend to overlook the
details, which results in quality loss. In the long run, it might turn out that haste is time-
consuming, because we may need to return to those things and do them again the right
way, this time.

Successfully dealing with all the things on our agenda requires careful planning. Most people
will say theyre busy enough as it is, and that they cant afford to waste half an hour a day on
planning. Of course, those are the people who have not yet discovered how much precious
time their haste is costing them.

When we plan our day or our week, or month , it is a good idea to arrange our tasks on a
scale according to their importance. This is a good way to see what our priorities are and
what we can leave for later. Another thing we can do is to group things for example, instead
of going to the supermarket every other day, we could buy things in larger quantities and go
once a week, thus saving time.

Still, even with the best planning possible, our time and energy are not unlimited: sometimes
we need to set all tasks aside and take a break.

pick up = ia, ridic haste = grab


pay a visit = viziteaz to overlook = a scpa din vedere
assignment = tem, nsrcinare loss = pierdere
to postpone = a amna in the long run = pe termen lung
appointment = programare turn out = a se dovedi
beauty shop = salon de frumusee time-consuming = care consum timp
setting aside = lsnd la o parte dealing = a ne ocupa de, a face fa la
bold = ndrznee to waste = a risipi, a pierde
unproved = nedemonstrate scale = scar
is shrinking = se micoreaz leave = lsa
to take on = a-i asuma, a se apuca de to group = a grupa
tasks = sarcini every other = tot a doua
to cope (with) = a face fa (la) larger = mai mari
tight = strns thus = astfel
schedule = program

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Time management
Lets see: pick up ____ kids from school do the shopping ____ a visit to uncle Henry to
____ how he is doing oh, no! ____ deadline for my assignment is tomorrow! I____ have
to postpone the appointment at ____ beauty shop, or Ill never ____ all these things done!
Does that ____ familiar? What is going on?
Setting ____ some bold yet unproved theories which ____ that time is shrinking, there
seems ____ be just one realistic explanation: we ____ to take on so many tasks ____ day,
that it becomes harder and ____ for us to cope with all ____ them. Todays tight schedule
is turning ____ all into managers: the managers of ____ own time. Thats easier said ____
done. Or is it?
Haste is ____ not the solution. When we do ____ too quickly, we tend to overlook ____
details, which results in quality loss. ____ the long run, it might turn ____ that haste is time-
consuming, because ____ may need to return to those ____ and do them again the right
____ , this time.
Successfully dealing with all ____ things on our agenda requires careful ____ . Most
people will say theyre ____ enough as it is, and that ____ cant afford to waste half an
____ a day on planning. Of course, ____ are the people who have not ____ discovered
how much precious time their ____ is costing them.
When we plan ____ day or our week, or month , ____ is a good idea to arrange ____
tasks on a scale according to ____ importance. This is a good way ____ see what our
priorities are and ____ we can leave for later. Another ____ we can do is to group ____
for example, instead of going to ____ supermarket every other day, we could ____ things
in larger quantities and go ____ a week, thus saving time.

Still, ____ with the best planning possible, our ____ and energy are not unlimited:
sometimes ____ need to set all tasks aside ____ take a break.

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Time management - Exercises
How does each phrase end?
a) We cant postpone this forever, 1. she comes to visit us every other
day.
b) Oh no! My blouse is ruined, 2. but the results will be seen in
the long run.
c) Helena didnt want to talk to her ex-boyfriend, 3. but I feel like choking, Im
taking it off.
d) It may seem as a risky investment, 4. lets have a serious talk now!
e) Im sick and tired of my mother-in-law, 5. it shrank when I washed it!
f) Tight shirts may be in fashion, 6. so she didnt pick up the phone
for a week.

Fill in with one word.


1. She always says that she doesnt have so much time to ____________ (=lose) on
watching TV.
2. The policeman must have ________________ (=not noticed) the clue.
3. The secretary asked me if I had an ________________ (=established meeting) with
Mr. Jones.
4. The gravedigger was very tired; he had been working for hours now, so he decided to
_________________ (=stop working) for 10 minutes.
5. How good would you say he is, on a ___________ (=range) from 1 to 10?
6. Lets ___________ (=bring together) the kids and see if we are not missing one.

Say this in another way by using one of the expressions!


the right way; harder and harder; get done; busy enough as it is; tight schedule;
easier said than done.

1. Please solve all this things by tomorrow or Ill have a talk with the supervisor about you.
__________________________________________________________________________

2. He hasnt chosen the correct method in showing her he loves her.


__________________________________________________________________________

3. You have a lot tasks and assignments to deal with, I dont want to give you any extra work.
__________________________________________________________________________

4. My husband has a very busy programme at work so I dont dare to visit him at the office.
__________________________________________________________________________

5. A lot of people talk about resigning, but when it comes to doing it, not many dare.
__________________________________________________________________________

6. Nowadays its getting more and more difficult to raise a child.


__________________________________________________________________________

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11. What we eat
A lot of people exercise to stay in shape. Not just because they know its healthy, but also
because they want to look good. So they practise sports mainly to burn calories and lose
weight.
But a healthy diet is also important. After all, we are what we eat, arent we? This means
more than just watching our waist. People are becoming increasingly aware that not all
calories are the same. Our body needs to get balanced amounts of proteins, sugars, fats,
vitamins, and minerals. If one of these categories is missing, or if another one is in excess, we
may have serious problems.
Furthermore, the source of these substances is also important. For instance, many people are
vegetarian, because there is evidence that vegetables are healthier than meat, and they can
be just as nutritious. And most people agree that milk and eggs are very healthy if taken in the
right amounts. Also, everyone knows that canned food is not always the best choice: its good
that we can preserve food for longer periods of time, but some preservatives can be
unhealthy.
Water is also very important. After all, we are seventy-five percent water; when you think of it
this way, its not difficult to understand why dehydration is so dangerous.
Not surprisingly, not everyone pays attention to these issues. A lot of people would never
agree to give up coffee or to drink only mineral water and natural juices. And who can resist
chocolate so easily? These examples may be funny, but sometimes things are more serious:
its the case of drugs that cause addiction. Drug addicts may agree that what they are doing is
unhealthy, but quitting requires great will power.
Almost every magazine has articles dedicated to suggestions for a healthy diet. All those
guidelines may seem a little confusing, but there is one basic rule: as long as you dont
exaggerate, you should be fine.

to burn = a arde nutritious = hrnitoare


weight = greutate canned = n conserv
waist = mijloc preserve = a conserva
increasingly = tot mai mult preservatives = conservani
balanced = echilibrate addiction = dependen
proteins = proteine addicts = dependeni
sugars = glucide quitting = a se lsa
fats = grsimi will = voin
furthermore = mai mult guidelines = ndrumri
meat = carne

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What we eat
A lot of ___ exercise to stay in shape. Not ___ because they know its healthy, ___ also
because they want to look ___. So they practise sports mainly to ___ calories and lose
weight.
But a ___ diet is also important. After all, ___ are what we eat, arent ___? This means more
than just watching ___ waist. People are becoming increasingly aware ___ not all calories are
the same. ___ body needs to get balanced amounts ___ proteins, sugars, fats, vitamins, and
minerals. ___ one of these categories is missing, ___ if another one is in excess, ___ may
have serious problems.
Furthermore, the ___ of these substances is also important. ___ instance, many people are
vegetarian, because ___ is evidence that vegetables are healthier ___ meat, and they can be
just ___ nutritious. And most people agree that ___ and eggs are very healthy if ___ in the
right amounts. Also, everyone ___ that canned food is not always ___ best choice: its good
that ___ can preserve food for longer periods ___ time, but some preservatives can be ___.
Water is also very important. After ___, we are seventy-five percent water; when ___ think of
it this way, it___ not difficult to understand why dehydration ___ so dangerous.
Not surprisingly, not everyone pays attention ___ these issues. A lot of people ___ never
agree to give up coffee ___ to drink only mineral water and ___ juices. And who can resist
chocolate ___ easily? These examples may be funny, ___ sometimes things are more
serious: it___ the case of drugs that cause ___. Drug addicts may agree that what ___ are
doing is unhealthy, but quitting ___ great will power.
Almost every magazine ___ articles dedicated to suggestions for a ___ diet. All those
guidelines may seem ___ little confusing, but there is one ___ rule: as long as you don___
exaggerate, you should be fine.

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What we eat - Exercises

Fill in with a word or phrase:


1. If children eat sweets in _____________ (=surplus), they tend to become fat adults.
2. A lot of people die of _______________ (=lack of water) in the desert every year.
3. Out of all types of ____________ (=dependences), I consider drugs to be the worst.
4. Losing weight requires great __________________ (=determination).
5. Its recommended, when youre on a diet to receive some _____________ (= pieces
of advice) from an expert.
6. ________________ (=in a tin can) soups are the easiest to prepare: you just have to
heat them.

Which is the right word?


1. Many people wouldnt consider eating chocolate and candies all day to be a healthy
______________.
2. If the food contains a lot of proteins and vitamins, it is considered to be
__________________.
3. In order to keep food edible for a longer time, we use _____________.
4. Im sure he didnt __________ the temptation of telling his friend all about the
incident.
5. Everybody thought that he was a bachelor, but __________ it turned out that he had
been married for 10 years.
6. A lot of top models strictly watch their ______________, we could say that they are
almost obsessed with it.

Imagine you have to interview somebody on the topic of eating habits. Think of five
questions you would ask.

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12. The Environment (2)
Environment is a term we use to refer collectively to the things that surround us. It is more
than just the home or the workplace, but it took people a very long time to figure that out.
When they finally did understand it, they realized they had made some mistakes.

Not long ago, people still thought that nature could take care of itself, and that it would remain
unchanged no matter what we did. They used to think that the Earth was strong enough to
handle (= to deal with) anything we might do. Now we know better. We are now aware that
our actions can have tremendous effects on our planet. The development of science has
made us powerful enough to cause a lot of harm even to destroy the world but the
question is, are we wise enough to handle that power?

The protection of our environment requires urgent attention. It is plain to see that the balance
of the universe is fragile, and that a small mistake could cause a natural disaster.
First, the planets resources are limited, so we need to use them rationally. What will happen
when they are exhausted? Second, if we want the world to remain a healthy environment,
efforts should be made to keep pollution down (= to maintain a low level of pollution). Third,
because of the way we have exploited the environment, some animal species are now extinct,
and others are endangered.

Since we know that the world is not made up of independent parts, it is easy to see that the
disappearance of a species could have a dramatic impact on the whole planet.

People are gradually becoming aware of this. Recycling and green products (= products that
are friendly to the environment) are becoming more and more popular, and there are a lot of
organizations such as GreenPeace, for instance , which fight for the environment. Lets
just hope its not too late.

surround = ne nconjoar balance = echilibru


to figure out = a nelege, a-i da seama exhausted = epuizate
unchanged = neschimbat extinct = disprute
no matter = indiferent endangered = periclitate
to handle = a se descurca cu, a face fa, made up of = format din
a se ocupa de disappearance = dispariie
tremendous = extraordinare green = ecologice
harm = ru friendly = prietenoase
wise = nelepi popular = populare, celebre
plain = simplu fight = lupt
The Environment (2)

Environment is a term we use ____ refer collectively to the things that ____ us. It is more
than just ____ home or the workplace, but it ____ people a very long time to ____ that.
When they finally did understand ____ , they realized they had made some ____ .
Not long ago, people still thought ____ nature could take care of itself, ____ that it would
remain unchanged no ____ what we did. They used to think ____ the Earth was strong
enough to ____ (= to deal with) anything we might ____ . Now we know better. We are
____ aware that our actions can have ____ effects on our planet. The development ____
science has made us powerful enough ____ cause a lot of harm even ____ destroy the
world but the question ____ , are we wise enough to handle ____ power?
The protection of our environment ____ urgent attention. It is plain to ____ that the balance
of the universe ____ fragile, and that a small mistake ____ cause a natural disaster.
First, the ____ resources are limited, so we need ____ use them rationally. What will
happen ____ they are exhausted? Second, if we ____ the world to remain a healthy ____
, efforts should be made to keep ____ down (= to maintain a low level ____ pollution).
Third, because of the way ____ have exploited the environment, some animal ____ are
now extinct, and others are ____ . Since we know that the world ____ not made up of
independent parts, ____ is easy to see that the ____ of a species could have a ____
impact on the whole planet.
People ____ gradually becoming aware of this. Recycling ____ green products (= products
that are friendly ____ the environment) are becoming more and ____ popular, and there
are a lot ____ organizations such as GreenPeace, for instance , ____ fight for the
environment. Lets just ____ its not too late.
Environment (2) Exercises

Fill in:
We are beautiful ______ matter what they say.
He regretted the disappearance ______ Greek from school curricula.
The day's shopping left her ___________ (extremely tired).
Salt is made ______of two elements"sodium and chlorine.
How can I figure______ someone elses password?

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. She was surrounded
2. We couldn't figure out
3. My wife handles
4. The bald eagle may be
5. Sugar is
6. Susan had

a) the household accounts .


b) endangered.
c) by reporters .
d) made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms .
e) where all the money had gone.
f) a tremendous time at the theater last night.

Think of five things people could do to have a greener planet. Which of them have you
already done?

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13. Poverty
Michelle Keaton is moving with her new family today. The four-year-old child has been
adopted by Alice ONeil, a 30-year-old social worker (whom) she met in the foster home.
Michelle has every reason to be happy: she is going to be part of a loving family, who will
provide the care and education that a child needs. Its a new horizon for her. She has never
met her natural parents, so she has never felt the warmth of a family. She was abandoned
at birth and has been living in the foster home since then.

Many other children are less fortunate. Quite a lot of them end up homeless, living on the
streets, among garbage bins (= garbage cans). Their life is a constant struggle for
survival. They are not isolated cases, you see them everywhere, from downtown to the edge
of the city: the beggar at the corner of the street or next to the hotel entrance, stretching out
an arm as you pass him by; the group that gathers around a fire on a chilly November day;
the lonely person dressed in an old coat, taking shelter under a bridge or in the subway
station; the gang that you fear so much. In order to survive, some of them start stealing,
others beg, others become prostitutes. They are the people society is not proud of. The
government offers them some financial aid, there are charity institutions, but somehow the
problem persists.

There are countries in the world where most of the population is confronted with such issues
as starvation and all kinds of diseases that result from it (because hunger makes the body
become weak and people get sick more easily).

Would it be so difficult to solve these problems? If we wanted a little less for ourselves and
paid more attention to other peoples suffering, the world would probably become a slightly
better place. Would it be such a sacrifice if we gave up a part of our comfort so that other
people could enjoy a decent life?

social worker = asistent social beggar = ceretor


foster home = cas de copii stretching = ntinznd
warmth = cldur chilly = rcoroas
fortunate = norocoi shelter = adpost
homeless = fr cas beg = ceresc
garbage = gunoi proud = mndr
garbage bin = co de gunoi aid = ajutor
garbage can = co de gunoi starvation = foamete
struggle = lupt, forare weak = slab, slbit
survival = supravieuire slightly = puin, uor
downtown = centrul oraului
edge = margine, muchie
Poverty

Michelle Keaton is moving with her new ___ today. The four-year-old child has been ___
by Alice ONeil, a 30-year-old ___ worker (whom) she met in the ___ home. Michelle has
every reason to ___ happy: she is going to be ___ of a loving family, who will provide ___
care and education that a child ___ . Its a new horizon for her. ___ has never met her
natural parents, ___ she has never felt the warmth ___ a family. She was abandoned at
___ and has been living in the ___ home since then.
Many other children ___ less fortunate. Quite a lot of ___ end up homeless, living on the
___ , among garbage bins (= garbage cans). Their ___ is a constant struggle for
survival. ___ are not isolated cases, you see ___ everywhere, from downtown to the edge
___ the city: the beggar at the ___ of the street or next to the ___ entrance, stretching out
an arm as ___ pass him by; the group that ___ around a fire on a chilly ___ day; the lonely
person dressed in ___ old coat, taking shelter under a ___ or in the subway station; the
___ that you fear so much. In ___ to survive, some of them start ___ , others beg, others
become prostitutes. They ___ the people society is not proud ___ . The government offers
them some financial ___ , there are charity institutions, but somehow ___ problem persists.
There are countries in ___ world where most of the population ___ confronted with such
issues as starvation ___ all kinds of diseases that result ___ it (because hunger makes the
body ___ weak and people get sick more ___ ).

Would it be so difficult to ___ these problems? If we wanted a ___ less for ourselves and
paid more ___ to other peoples suffering, the world ___ probably become a slightly better
place. ___ it be such a sacrifice if ___ gave up a part of our ___ so that other people could
enjoy ___ decent life?
Poverty Exercises

Fill in:
My sister is proud ______ herself for having played in a rock band.
When you travel abroad you miss the warmth ______ your familiy.
What can I do in order _______ keep fit?
Although I had already forgotten about it, she was still begging ______ forgiveness.
What could you give ______ to?

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. After becoming a social
2. Aid may be "given" in the
3. In every family, there are family members
4. The ladies had 10 step-children
5. My neighbours ten year old nephew struggled with
6. My question is where do dolphins take

a) form of financial grants or loans, or in the form of materials, labor, or expertise.


b) among them.
c) shelter.
d) worker, you will be able to assist people in solving personal and family problems .
e) his math homework .
f) who are less fortunate.

Write a manifesto about the ways in which people could help less fortunate children. (a
list of ten things people should do)

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14. Happy Anniversary!
David and Sylvia are celebrating their first wedding anniversary today. One year as husband
and wife.

Is everything ready? Sylvia asks, as she throws a glance at her watch. She catches a
glimpse of her wedding ring and smiles, as she recalls the day David proposed to her. It
wasnt the typical dinner-at-the-restaurant scene but then, a lot of things are not typical in
our relationship, she thinks.
Were all set, David replies. The plane lands in one hour. Im picking mom and dad up at
8:30. He looks at Sylvia and smiles at the same memory. A year ago, she was leaving for
Sydney, to attend a conference. He drove her to the airport. They had just announced that the
plane was going to take off in a few minutes. Right before she headed for the gate, they said
goodbye and he added, in an almost casual tone, Oh, before I forget, theres something Id
like to ask you. Will you marry me? She said yes. They kissed, they hugged and she took
the next flight to Sydney.

You should probably leave, itll take you about forty minutes to get to the airport during rush
hour. Do you need to stop for gas on the way?
No, the tank is full. OK, I should probably get going.
Dont be too long, she says, and waves goodbye.

After he leaves, she takes another look at the table in the back yard. Everything is in place.
Should she slice the cake now, or wait till everyone is here? Nah, Ill wait, she decides. She
takes care of a few more details, as she waits for David to return with his parents. Her parents
are also coming, but a bit later.

She touches her stomach and smiles again. Actually, theres a double celebration today. A
few days ago, she found out she was pregnant (= she was going to have a baby). Her father-
in-law will be thrilled when he hears he is about to become a grandpa her mother-in-law,
too, of course. So will her parents.

She hears the sound of the engine outside. The first guests have arrived. Its going to be a
beautiful day.

glance = privire hugged = s-au mbriat


glimpse = privire (fugar) rush hour = ora de vrf
catches a glimpse = zrete n treact gas = benzin
recalls = i readuce aminte tank = rezervor
proposed (to) = a cerut n cstorie waves = face cu mna
(all) set = pregtii yard = curte
lands = aterizeaz slice = a felia
to attend = pentru a participa father-in-law = socru
drove = a dus cu maina thrilled = ncntat
to take off = a decola about to = pe punctul s
headed = s-a ndreptat mother-in-law = soacr
gate = poart
Happy Anniversary!

David and Sylvia are ___ their first wedding anniversary today. One ___ as husband and
wife.
Is everything ___ ? Sylvia asks, as she throws a ___ at her watch. She catches a ___ of
her wedding ring and smiles, ___ she recalls the day David proposed ___ her. It wasnt the
typical ___ -at-the-restaurant scene but then, ___ lot of things are not typical ___ our
relationship, she thinks.
Were ___ set, David replies. The plane lands ___ one hour. Im picking mom ___ dad up
at 8:30. He looks ___ Sylvia and smiles at the same ___ . A year ago, she was leaving ___
Sydney, to attend a conference. He ___ her to the airport. They had ___ announced that the
plane was going ___ take off in a few minutes. ___ before she headed for the gate, ___
said goodbye and he added, in ___ almost casual tone, Oh, before I ___ , theres
something Id like ___ ask you. Will you marry me? ___ said yes. They kissed, they
hugged ___ she took the next flight to ___ .
You should probably leave, itll ___ you about forty minutes to get ___ the airport during
rush hour. Do ___ need to stop for gas on ___ way?
No, the tank is full. ___ , I should probably get going.
Don___ be too long, she says, and ___ goodbye.
After he leaves, she takes ___ look at the table in the ___ yard. Everything is in place.
Should ___ slice the cake now, or wait ___ everyone is here? Nah, Ill ___ , she decides.
She takes care of ___ few more details, as she waits ___ David to return with his parents.
___ parents are also coming, but a ___ later.
She touches her stomach and smiles ___ . Actually, theres a double celebration ___ . A few
days ago, she found ___ she was pregnant. Her father-in-law will ___ thrilled when he hears
he is ___ to become a grandpa her mother-in-law, ___ , of course. So will her parents.
___ hears the sound of the engine ___ . The first guests have arrived. It___ going to be a
beautiful day.
Happy Anniversary! - Exercises

Put the words in the correct order:


When/ she /thrilled /mother-in-law / Her /be/ hears /about to /will/become /she /is/ a grandma
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sound /hears /She/ the /outside /the /rain /of
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A /meeting /she/ ago,/ for /Sydney, /to/ a minute/ leaving/ was /attend/
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a /today /theres/ Actually,/ celebration/ double
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probably /going /should /We/ get
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till /now /she/ the /pizza,/ Should /or/ is/ wait/ everyone/ here/? /slice
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Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. She only glanced
2. The actor's career took
3. She was thrilled
4. From the window he could catch
5. I rather ride the bike
6. Can you recall

a) off after his role in that movie.


b) during the rush hour.
c) at hearing the news.
d) at the menu in order to see the prices.
e) what she said?
f) a glimpse of the lake.

Think oh an anniversary that you celebrated. Describe it referring to: necessary


preparations, location, guests, emotions involved.
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15. Coming Soon
If you havent yet decided what youre going to do next Friday night, heres a tip for you: Back
in Town, a Northwest Pictures production, is showing at the cinema. The motion picture
features Emma Jones and Michael Ford in a story about the search of ones true identity.

Emma Jones plays the part of Helen Turner, an ex-Hollywood star who comes to settle in a
small town in the mountains after a brief period of success. Eddie Keaton, the character
played by Michael Ford, is a former businessman, now bankrupt, who comes to spend the
summer in the same quiet surroundings. Although the two have met on two previous
occasions, they know practically nothing about each other. A sequence of incidents brings
them closer to each other and they fall in love, after which they start discovering the little joys
of life as a common person.

The movie was released two weeks ago and it was a tremendous box office hit, a true
blockbuster, which is rather uncommon for a film of this kind. Director and producer Philip
Parker has been kind enough to take us behind the scenes, in an attempt to account for this
success:
Its not the what, its the how, he explains. Its the usual boy-meets-girl story a formula
which may be old, but never obsolete. But what makes this movie different from others of the
same kind is all the things around this story: the scenery, the soundtrack, the actors
themselves. I worked with a crew made up of top professionals, starting with the cameramen
up to the makeup artists and the actors. We shot the movie on location, which makes it look
more real to the viewer. The setting is simply beautiful, and it looks even more beautiful in the
movie, thanks to the skills of the crew. Some reviewers have called the film a moving photo
album.

Rumour has it that there might be something going on between Emma and Michael outside
the set as well. Though this has not yet been confirmed, it is certain that the two actors charm
has also contributed a lot to the popularity of the movie.
Dont miss out the premiere this Friday.

tip = sugestie uncommon = neobinuit


motion = micare director = regizor
motion picture = film to account for = a explica
features = prezint obsolete = nvechit
to settle = a se aeza, a (se) stabili scenery = peisaj
brief = scurt soundtrack = coloana sonor
former = fost crew = echipaj
bankrupt = falimentat top = (de) vrf
surroundings = mediu shot = am filmat
previous = anterioare setting = cadrul
released = lansat skills = talente, deprinderi
tremendous = extraordinar reviewers = critici
box office = cas de bilete rumour has it = se zvonete
blockbuster = film de succes set = platou de filmare
Coming soon
If you havent yet decided ___ youre going to do next ___ night, heres a tip for ___: Back in
Town, a Northwest Pictures ___, is showing at the cinema. The ___ picture features Emma
Jones and Michael ___ in a story about the search ___ ones true identity. Emma Jones plays
___ part of Helen Turner, an ex-___ star who comes to settle in ___ small town in the
mountains after ___ brief period of success. Eddie Keaton, ___ character played by Michael
Ford, is ___ former businessman, now bankrupt, who comes ___ spend the summer in the
same ___ surroundings. Although the two have met ___ two previous occasions, they know
practically ___ about each other. A sequence of ___ brings them closer to each other ___
they fall in love, after which ___ start discovering the little joys of ___ as a common person.
The movie ___ released two weeks ago and it ___ a tremendous box office hit, a ___
blockbuster, which is rather uncommon for ___ film of this kind. Director and ___ Philip Parker
has been kind enough ___ take us behind the scenes, in ___ attempt to account for this
success:
___s not the what, its ___ how, he explains. Its the ___ boy-meets-girl story a formula
___ may be old, but never obsolete. ___ what makes this movie different from ___ of the
same kind is all ___ things around this story: the scenery, ___ soundtrack, the actors
themselves. I worked ___ a crew made up of top ___, starting with the cameramen up to ___
makeup artists and the actors. We ___ the movie on location, which makes ___ look more
real to the viewer. ___ setting is simply beautiful, and it ___ even more beautiful in the movie,
___ to the skills of the crew. ___ reviewers have called the film a ___ photo album.
Rumour has been that ___ might be something going on between ___ and Michael outside
the set as ___. Though this has not yet been ___, it is certain that the two ___ charm has also
contributed a lot ___ the popularity of the movie.
Dont ___ out the premiere this Friday.
Coming soon - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


Bad weather accounted _______ the long delay.
Rumour has _______ that the GooglePhone will hit the streets of the US next week.
He made an attempt _______ swim across the lake.
Dont miss _______ the interview with Heath Ledger.
This weeks issue of The Sun features _______ story of the murder.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. I have a tip
2. What was the first motion
3. What was the reason for
4. Our former manufacturing
5. In the future computer engineers

a) picture with sound?


b) process was too costly.
c) for you: watch Dark Night.
d) will become obsolete; their job will be done by robots.
e) which the company went bankrupt?

Write about a movie you have seen, trying to convince others to watch it.

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16. Africa
Tuesday, May 21, 10 p.m. Were getting ready for another night in the tent, after concluding
our second day of driving through the Sahara. For the past two days, after sailing across the
Mediterranean, weve seen nothing but sand. Weve crossed Morocco and Algeria already. If
everything goes well, well be in Egypt sometime the day after tomorrow. I cant wait to see
the pyramids, with their mysterious legends of the ancient pharaohs. Then, well continue
our exploration southwards, all the way to South Africa. Its going to be a long journey
were talking about the worlds second largest continent, over 30 million square kilometres.

Though the Sahara alone occupies one fourth of the African land and it is not the only desert
on the continent, the African landscape is characterized by diversity. As we approach the
Equator (which divides the continent almost in the middle), it will be less dry and the desert
will gradually give way to the savannah and the rainforest with its rich vegetation. Well have
a chance to see some African wild animals lions, elephants, leopards, zebras, and a lot
more. Well also drive along the Nile, the worlds longest river.

But most of all, well meet the people. There are a thousand different ethnic groups living in
Africa, each with its own traditions and crafts. Most of them are of African origin, the rest are
of Arab origin. The diverse African culture, along with the exotic landscape, is a great
attraction for tourists, which is why some countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, etc.
have focused on tourism as a major source of income.

The density of the population is higher in those areas where the land can be used for
agriculture. The African farms produce bananas, oranges, grapes, olives, but also peanuts,
coffee, and a lot more. Farm animals such as sheep, cattle ( cows) can also be found here.

It may all sound so beautiful, but the fact is, most African countries are developing countries.
That is a little odd for a continent that provides more than half of the worlds diamonds and
gold. The standards of living are relatively low, and death rates are high in some regions.
Diseases such as AIDS and malaria are also a major problem in those areas.

But Africa is making steps towards higher standards. Civilization is blooming in many cities,
and there is no discrimination against black people anymore.

Tourists from all over the world come to visit this beautiful land of contrasts, where the
ancient roots are still easy to discover, and where natures power and beauty are so much
more obvious than anywhere else.

tent = cort have focused = s-au concentrat


concluding = a ncheia income = venit
sailing = a naviga peanuts = arahide
sand = nisip cattle = vite
ancient = antici developing = n curs de dezvoltare
pharaohs = faraoni odd = ciudat, neobinuit
southwards = spre sud diamonds = diamante
second largest = al doilea ca mrime gold = aur
square = ptrai standards = standarde
fourth = ptrime death = moarte
divides = mparte AIDS = SIDA
give way = a ceda loc malaria = malarie
rainforest = pdure tropical steps = pai
wild = slbatice blooming = nfloritoare
along = de-a lungul discrimination = discriminare
river = fluviu contrasts = contraste
crafts = meteuguri, artizanat roots = rdcini
along with = mpreun cu
Africa

Tuesday, May 21, 10 p.m. We___ getting ready for another night in ___ tent, after
concluding our second day ___ driving through the Sahara. For the ___ two days, after
sailing across the ___, weve seen nothing but sand. ___ve crossed Morocco and Algeria
already. ___ everything goes well, well be ___ Egypt sometime the day after tomorrow. ___
cant wait to see the pyramids, ___ their mysterious legends of the ancient ___. Then, well
continue our exploration ___, all the way to South Africa. Its going to be a long journey
were talking about the worlds second ___ continent, over 30 million square kilometres.
___ the Sahara alone occupies one fourth ___ the African land and it is ___ the only desert
on the continent, ___ African landscape is characterized by diversity. ___ we approach the
Equator (which divides ___ continent almost in the middle), it ___ be less dry and the desert
___ gradually give way to the savannah ___ the rainforest with its rich vegetation. ___ll
have a chance to see ___ African wild animals lions, elephants, leopards, ___, and a lot
more. Well ___ drive along the Nile, the worlds ___ river.
But most of all, we___ meet the people. There are a ___ different ethnic groups living in
Africa, ___ with its own traditions and crafts. ___ of them are of African origin, ___ rest are of
Arab origin. The ___ African culture, along with the exotic ___, is a great attraction for
tourists, ___ is why some countries such as ___, Egypt, South Africa, etc. have focused ___
tourism as a major source of ___.

The density of the population is ___ in those areas where the land ___ be used for
agriculture. The African ___ produce bananas, oranges, grapes, olives, but ___ peanuts,
coffee, and a lot more. ___ animals such as sheep, cattle ( cows) ___ also be found here.

It may ___ sound so beautiful, but the fact ___, most African countries are developing
countries. ___ is a little odd for a ___ that provides more than half of ___ worlds diamonds
and gold. The standards ___ living are relatively low, and death ___ are high in some regions.
Diseases ___ as AIDS and malaria are also ___ major problem in those areas.

But ___ is making steps towards higher standards. ___ is blooming in many cities, and ___
is no discrimination against black people ___.
Tourists from all over the world ___ to visit this beautiful land of ___, where the ancient roots
are still ___ to discover, and where natures power ___ beauty are so much more obvious
___ anywhere else.
Africa - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


Were getting ready _______ another sunny day.
For the _______ two weeks people have been complaining about your bad jokes.
Before seeing the big picture try to focus _______ the details.
There should be no discrimination _______ people with disabilities.
Most _______ us would like to be able to ignore the puddles on the street.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. Why dont invite her to a romantic walk
2. Be careful not to step
3. Id like all the students to divide
4. What you see on the plate is only a fourth
5. What an odd thing
6. You have to give way

a) into small discussion groups.


b) to traffic coming from the right.
c) along the river.
d) of his delicious birthday cake.
e) in the mud!
f) to say.

Write a paragraph about Africa, trying to convince others to visit it. You can use the
internet to do some research. Here is a site to help you:
http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/whyafrica.asp

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17. Asia
Thursday, June 10, 11 a.m. The Land Rover is loaded and we are almost set for departure.
Were leaving India today. Our Asian journey started a week ago, and will continue for
another twelve days. What weve seen so far has been simply astonishing (= amazing), even
though we had read a lot about the continent before coming here. And there was indeed a lot
to read.

Asia is the worlds largest and most diverse continent, even less homogeneous than Africa. It
covers about 30 percent of the Earths land area. It has the sharpest relief, the most varied
forms of vegetation and animal life. It is a continent of the extremes. The highest peak in the
world, Mount Everest, and the worlds lowest place, the Dead Sea, are both located here.

But what gives Asia its unique flavour is the combination of all its different cultures and
religions. Religion probably plays a more important role in peoples everyday life in Asia than
on any other continent taken as a whole.

Hinduism, the oldest of the worlds major religions, evolved from the religions of ancient India.
The fundamental belief of Hinduism is that there is a cosmic principle called Brahma, which
corresponds to the individual soul, called atman. All creatures go through a cycle of rebirth
until they reach (= attain) a certain spiritual level. India is also the place where Buddhism was
founded. This religion emphasizes (= highlights) meditation and right thinking as a means of
attaining Nirvana, a state of perfect happiness. Buddhism soon spread across Asia and
became one of the continents main religions. When you think of China or Japan, martial arts
are probably one of the first things that come to mind. But they, too, are more than self-
defense techniques and have a strong spiritual side, aiming at harmony rather than
destruction.

Christianity originated in southwest Asia. Its main belief is that Jesus is the Son of God, and
that he was sent by God among us to save mankind (= humankind). It may seem hard to
believe, but Islam is also of southwestern origin and therefore has strong links to Christianity.

In spite of being such a religious continent, Asia is not the most peaceful place on earth. The
Middle East is an area of frequent conflicts and serious political (and religious) tensions.

The countries of Asia are also different as far as their degree of economic development is
concerned. Some countries, such as those of Arabia, are among the worlds major oil
exporters; others, such as Japan and Malaysia, are well known producers of electronic
equipment; but there are also countries such as Bangladesh, which are among the poorest in
the world.

This is the land well be driving across for the next 12 days: a land of extremes, the birthplace
of all the worlds major religions, as well as the cradle of hundreds of minor ones, thrilling and
mysterious.

loaded = ncrcat highlights = evideniaz


astonishing = uimitor state = stare
sharpest = cel mai ascuit spread = s-a rspndit
peak = vrf, culme defense = aprare
flavour = arom mankind = omenire
rebirth = renatere humankind = omenire
attain = ating Middle East = Orientul Mijlociu
founded = fondat cradle = leagn
emphasizes = accentueaz thrilling = nfiortor
Asia
Thursday, June 10, 11 a.m. The ___ Rover is loaded and we are ___ set for departure.
Were leaving ___ today. Our Asian journey started a ___ ago, and will continue for another
___ days. What weve seen so ___ has been simply astonishing (= amazing), even ___ we
had read a lot about ___ continent before coming here. And there ___ indeed a lot to read.
Asia ___ the worlds largest and most diverse ___ , even less homogeneous than Africa. It
___ about 30 percent of the Earths ___ area. It has the sharpest relief, ___ most varied
forms of vegetation and ___ life. It is a continent of ___ extremes. The highest peak in the
___ , Mount Everest, and the worlds lowest ___ , the Dead Sea, are both located ___ .
But what gives Asia its unique ___ is the combination of all its ___ cultures and religions.
Religion probably plays ___ more important role in peoples everyday ___ in Asia than on
any other ___ taken as a whole.
Hinduism, the ___ of the worlds major religions, evolved ___ the religions of ancient India.
The ___ belief of Hinduism is that there ___ a cosmic principle called Brahma, which ___ to
the individual soul, called atman. ___ creatures go through a cycle of ___ until they reach (=
attain) a certain ___ level. India is also the place ___ Buddhism was founded. This religion
emphasizes (=___ ) meditation and right thinking as a ___ of attaining Nirvana, a state of
___ happiness. Buddhism soon spread across Asia ___ became one of the continents main
___ . When you think of China or ___ , martial arts are probably one of ___ first things that
come to mind. ___ they, too, are more than self-___ techniques and have a strong spiritual
___ , aiming at harmony rather than destruction.
___ originated in southwest Asia. Its main ___ is that Jesus is the Son ___ God, and that he
was sent ___ God among us to save mankind (=___ ). It may seem hard to believe, ___
Islam is also of southwestern origin ___ therefore has strong links to Christianity.
___ spite of being such a religious ___ , Asia is not the most peaceful ___ on earth. The
Middle East is ___ area of frequent conflicts and ___ political (and religious) tensions.
The countries ___ Asia are also different as far ___ their degree of economic development is
___ . Some countries, such as those of ___ , are among the worlds major oil ___ ; others,
such as Japan and Malaysia, ___ well known producers of electronic equipment; ___ there
are also countries such as ___ , which are among the poorest in ___ world.

This is the land we___ be driving across for the next ___ days, a land of extremes, the ___
of all the worlds major religions, ___ well as the cradle of hundreds ___ minor ones, thrilling
and mysterious.
Asia - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


Is everybody set _______ departure?
We are witnessing the rebirth _______ classicism in architecture.
As far ______ I know, nothing has changed in our country.
But _______ gives us the will to do something is the feeling of fulfillment.
The feminists claim that the term mankind should be replaced with _______.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. All birds have feathers; penguins are birds. Therefore,
2. Of the three chemical senses, smell is
3. Sales tend to peak
4. Boston was
5. The elderly always hesitate before
6. What I like about breakfast is

a) just before the holidays.


b) the main determinant of a food item's flavour.
c) the cradle of the American Revolution.
d) penguins have feathers.
e) when I spread butter on a slice of toasted bread.
f) getting on a loaded bus.

Use the internet to find out more about places to visit in Asia. Write a paragraph about
things you would do if you had the opportunity to go there.
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18. Machines
What would you rather use, a broom or a vacuum cleaner? A typewriter, or the computer?
Can you imagine not being able to iron your clothes? Or having to take the stairs to the ninth
floor, in the absence of an elevator? Would you find it easy to do without the microwave
oven? What would it be like not to have a washing machine? And wouldnt it be nice if you
didnt have to do the dishes (= to wash the dishes) yourself?

Machines have entered the household and made our life much easier. They used to be luxury
items in the past, but they are quite common in most homes today. From the toaster and the
cooking stove to the dishwasher, these appliances perform tasks that we find difficult, boring,
unpleasant, or time consuming. Of course, we are talking about routine everyday tasks, which
generally involve little or no creativity.

Some people would object (= raise a few objections) to this last part, especially when talking
about computers. These people would argue that computers, while they cannot actually do
anything creative, assist us in performing some tasks that require creativity. This is because
our imagination can acquire a visible shape on the screen. Thats why most architecture and
design work is currently done on the computer.

Another advantage of using computers is that they can operate as connected devices, thus
enabling people to be part of a network: it is well known that we have better results when we
work in a team.
The use of machines can give us the illusion that we have more spare time. But the speed
machines are capable of has also forced us to move faster and do more things in one day. At
a closer look, it becomes obvious (= evident) that we are a lot busier than our grandparents.
So are machines really helping us?

broom = mtur items = articole


vacuum = vid toaster = prjitor de pine
vacuum cleaner = aspirator stove = sob
typewriter = main de scris appliances = aparate (electrocasnice, de
to iron = a clca obicei)
the ninth = al noulea perform = ndeplinesc
to do = a te descurca argue = susine, argumenta
microwave = micround currently = n present
oven = cuptor devices = dispozitive
household = gospodrie network = reea
Machines

What would you rather use, a ___ or a vacuum cleaner? A typewriter, ___ the computer? Can
you imagine not ___ able to iron your clothes? Or ___ to take the stairs to the ___ floor, in the
absence of an ___? Would you find it easy to ___ without the microwave oven? What would
___ be like not to have a ___ machine? And wouldnt it be ___ if you didnt have to ___ the
dishes (= to wash the dishes) ___?
Machines have entered the household and ___ our life much easier. They used ___ be luxury
items in the past, ___ they are quite common in most ___ today. From the toaster and the
___ stove to the dishwasher, these appliances ___ tasks that we find difficult, boring, ___, or
time consuming. Of course, we ___ talking about routine everyday tasks, which ___ involve
little or no creativity.
Some ___ would object (= raise a few objections) ___ this last part, especially when talking
___ computers. These people would argue that ___, while they cannot actually do anything
___, assist us in performing some tasks ___ require creativity. This is because our ___ can
acquire a visible shape on ___ screen. Thats why most architecture ___ design work is
currently done on ___ computer.
Another advantage of using computers ___ that they can operate as connected ___, thus
enabling people to be part ___ a network: it is well known ___ we have better results when
we ___ in a team.
The use of ___ can give us the illusion that ___ have more spare time. But the ___ machines
are capable of has also ___ us to move faster and do ___ things in one day. At a ___ look, it
becomes evident (= obvious) that ___ are a lot busier than our ___. So are machines really
helping us?
Machines - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


What would you _______ watch, a thriller or a comedy?
Im currently _______ the dishes by myself since I dont have a dishwasher at my disposal.
Some people would raise a few_______ to doing the ironing for their partners.
Another advantage _______ using the vacuum cleaner is that you can stay away from all the
dust.
However, _______ a closer look computers seem to be helping us more and more.
It is well _______ that machines will never replace human thinking.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. Typewriters were indispensable
2. In cooking, the conventional
3. Will this do for now, or
4. We were in seventh heaven
5. Hell always argue in
6. Another advantage of intelligent household

a) do you want me to bring you another broom?


b) tools in business offices and for many professional writers.
c) appliances is that they help you save energy.
d) favour of capital punishment.
e) in our new home.
f) oven is a kitchen appliance and is used for roasting and heating.

Think of a machine you use to do your daily tasks. Describe how you use it. Can you
imagine having to work without it? Try to write how your life would change if you
didnt have it.
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19. Science
The desire for comfort is a natural need. Sometimes, it lies at the basis of selfishness. Other
times, it forms the foundation of scientific research. So many things are being invented with
the specific (= precise, definite) purpose of making our life easier and more carefree. Think
of electrical appliances and medicines, to name but a few.

But the strongest force driving such processes as invention and discovery is probably human
curiosity, the desire to know more, and to achieve more. Two main ingredients are needed in
order for these processes to be successful: intelligence and imagination. Both of them in large
amounts, as most of us would agree that the digital age has witnessed things we thought
were beyond our fantasy: the applications of nuclear energy, flying, space engineering, virtual
reality - these are just a few of the spectacular changes that science has made possible.

Developing these things may have been difficult, but making them accessible to regular
people must have been an even greater challenge. Most of the sophisticated machines we
use today require little or no special skills or training. We can easily accomplish a task by
using a computer we dont need to be engineers to do that.

As science advances, some people are starting to ask themselves whether we should see it
as a friend or a potential enemy, as a help or a threat. Will machines ever be able to operate
like the human brain? Artificial intelligence is no longer a fantasy, but will machines ever
become conscious? And if they do, will it be moral of us to use them? Or should there be
machine rights similar to the human rights? For some people, these are frightening thoughts.
For others, they are quite exciting. Time will tell who is right.

lies = se afl, st has witnessed = a fost martor la


selfishness = egoism may have been = probabil c a fost
specific = precis must have been = precis c a fost
definite = precis, hotrt challenge = provocare; dificultate
carefree = fr griji accomplish = a ndeplini, a realiza
achieve = a realiza, a obine o realizare threat = ameninare
age = er
Science
The desire for comfort is a ___ need. Sometimes, it lies at the ___ of selfishness. Other
times, it forms ___ foundation of scientific research. So many ___ are being invented with
the specific (=___ , definite) purpose of making our life ___ and more carefree. Think of
electrical ___ and medicines, to name but a ___ .
But the strongest force driving such ___ as invention and discovery is probably ___
curiosity, the desire to know more, ___ to achieve more. Two main ingredients ___ needed
in order for these processes ___ be successful: intelligence and imagination. Both ___
them in large amounts, as most ___ us would agree that the digital ___ has witnessed
things we thought were ___ our fantasy: the applications of nuclear ___ , flying, space
engineering, virtual reality - these ___ just a few of the spectacular ___ that science has
made possible.

Developing ___ things may have been difficult, but ___ them accessible to regular people
must ___ been an even greater challenge. Most ___ the sophisticated machines we use
today ___ little or no special skills or ___ . We can easily accomplish a task ___ using a
computer we dont ___ to be engineers to do that.

___ science advances, some people are starting ___ ask themselves whether we should
see ___ as a friend or a potential ___ , as a help or a threat. ___ machines ever be able
to operate ___ the human brain? Artificial intelligence is ___ longer a fantasy, but will
machines ___ become conscious? And if they do, ___ it be moral of us to ___ them? Or
should there be machine ___ similar to the human rights? For some ___ , these are
frightening thoughts. For others, ___ are quite exciting. Time will tell ___ is right.
Science - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


What do you think lies _______ the basis of selfishness?
Two main things are needed to be achieved in order _______ be happy.
Carefree living is _______ longer something easy to achieve.
_______ time goes by, people realize computers do not represent a threat to reading.
It may _______ been the wind howling through the old oak trees.
It is not difficult to _______ a task when you have the necessary tools.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. It is definite
2. I remember
3. She finally achieved
4. This university has witnessed
5. Its going to be a difficult job
6.She carried out her threat

a) that he will take the job.


b) her ambition to visit South America.
c) to throw away any clothes that were left on the floor.
d) quite a few changes over the years.
e) my carefree student days.
f) but Im sure hell rise to the challenge.

Think of five different ways in which one could use a computer. Which ones are the
most important for you?
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20. Food or Poetry?
For some people, food is just a fuel: we need to eat in order to survive, but thats all there is to
it. But Mary Cook, chef and owner of an exclusive restaurant in Paris, France, is of a different
opinion. I am more than just a cook, I am an artist, Cook says. Food is for the heart, too, not
just for the body.

Cooking is more than mixing ingredients according to a recipe, its about passion, its about
expressing feelings. She remembers her grandmas cakes and cookies, which were always a
delight. They always tasted better than the same sweets bought in a shop. That was
because there was passion and love in those cookies, not just flour, sugar, butter, etc., and
thats not something anyone can do.

I dont just feed my customers, Mary further explains, I help them live an experience. Food,
she claims, resembles life experience: it can be tasty or bad, bitter or sweet, satisfying your
hunger or just arousing your appetite, appealing or disgusting; you can eat it fast and forget
about it the next minute, or you can relish every bite; it can be the adventure of tasting
something new, or the comfort of finding something familiar.

Food can also be a shared experience. Some people look on the table and all they see is a
steak on a plate and a bottle of red or white wine; what I see is a meal that will stimulate
conversation and bring people closer, set the right atmosphere for a successful negotiation or
a marriage proposal, or the beginning of a friendship. So many business deals are discussed
over lunch, so many relationships start with a dinner at the restaurant. The two diners are not
there because theyre hungry, but because dining together can make the conversation more
enjoyable.

Of course, thats Marys opinion. Whether or not you agree with her, bon apptit (= have a
nice meal)!

fuel = combustibil arousing = strnind


chef = buctar ef, buctar profesionist appealing = atrgtoare
cook = buctar disgusting = dezgusttoare
mixing = a amesteca relish = savura
recipe = reet bite = muctur
its about = nseamn, are a face comfort = mngiere
cu steak = friptur
cookies = fursecuri, biscuii plate = farfurie
delight = ncntare set = fixa
tasted = aveau gust proposal = propunere
flour = fin diners = persoane care iau masa
feed = hrnesc dining = a lua masa
further = mai departe enjoyable = plcut
resembles = seamn cu bon apptit = poft bun
bitter = amar
hunger = foame
Food or Poetry?
For some people, ___ is just a fuel: we need ___ eat in order to survive, but that___ all
there is to it. But ___ Couque, chef and owner of an ___ restaurant in Paris, France, is of
___ different opinion. I am more than ___ a cook, I am an artist, ___ says. Food is for
the heart, ___ , not just for the body.
Cooking ___ more than mixing ingredients according to ___ recipe, its about passion, its
___ expressing feelings. He remembers his grandmas ___ and cookies, which were
always a ___ . They always tasted better than the ___ sweets bought in a shop. That ___
because there was passion and love ___ those cookies, not just flour, sugar, ___ , etc.,
and thats not something ___ can do.
I dont just ___ my customers, Pierre further explains, I ___ them live an experience.
Food, he ___ , resembles life experience: it can be ___ or bad, bitter or sweet, satisfying
___ hunger or just arousing your appetite, ___ or disgusting; you can eat it ___ and
forget about it the next ___ , or you can relish every bite; ___ can be the adventure of
tasting ___ new, or the comfort of finding ___ familiar.
Food can also be a ___ experience. Some people look on the ___ and all they see is a
___ on a plate and a bottle ___ red or white wine; what I ___ is a meal that will stimulate
___ and bring people closer, set the ___ atmosphere for a successful negotiation or ___
marriage proposal, or the beginning of ___ friendship. So many business deals are ___
over lunch, so many relationships start ___ a dinner at the restaurant. The ___ diners are
not there because they___ hungry, but because dining together can make ___
conversation more enjoyable.
Of course, that___ Pierres opinion. Whether or not you ___ with him, bon apptit (=
have a ___ meal)!
Food or Poetry? - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


What do you need in ______ to keep in shape?
Communication is the most important thing in a relationship, according _______ some
specialists.
I agree with teenagers being allowed to go out, but my father is _______ a different opinion.
What _______ see is the portrait of a very famous person.
Whether or _______ you like it, I hope you will realize its the best thing to do.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. The kids love
2. I read your letter
3. Every day she sinks further
4. Just follow these
5. You resemble
6.I always relish

a) a challenge.
b) recipes for Indian food.
c) your mother very closely.
d) feeding bread to the dogs.
e) and further into depression.
f) but Im sure hell rise to the challenge.

Find a recipe in English and write it here. If you dont like recipes or cooking find a
poem.
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21. A Doctors Day

4 a.m. Dr. Philip Edison was driving to the hospital. He had got a call 15 minutes before,
about a patient who had been brought in the previous day. The patient was a 60-year-old man
who had suffered a heart attack. He was supposed to undergo surgery that afternoon, but his
condition had suddenly grown worse during the previous hour and it looked like the operation
had to be performed sooner. Philip was the surgeon who was supposed to operate on him.

Fortunately, there wasnt much traffic at that time of night. The thick fog made it difficult for
him to drive. Philip threw a glance in the rear-view mirror to check if it was safe to change
lanes. He looked at the traffic light ahead, just in time to see the light change to green. At
least he wouldnt have to slow down as he drove through the intersection.

4:15. He could already see the hospital. An ambulance passed him and stopped in front of the
hospital entrance. Probably another emergency. Philip caught a glimpse of the ambulance
driver as he parked his car and went inside the hospital. He went up to his office, where he
quickly put on his green robe, and then hurried to the surgery room. The nurse greeted him
and helped him prepare for the surgical procedure.

5:40 a.m. The operation had been successful. But the day was just beginning, and he had two
more operations scheduled. At 9:30, he had a patient with a liver problem. Then, at noon, he
was supposed to perform a kidney transplant (on a patient with a rare blood type).

He was already feeling exhausted. And hungry, because he hadnt had breakfast. He often
used to joke that doctors were people who took care of other peoples health while neglecting
their own; the question was, who was going to cure the doctor?

Nevertheless, he decided to skip breakfast and catch some sleep, or at least rest for a while.
It was going to be a hard day, so he needed all the rest he could get.

was supposed = trebuia passed = a depit


to undergo = a suferi put on = a mbrcat
surgery = operaie chirurgical robe = halat
had grown = devenise greeted = a salutat
worse = mai rea surgical = chirurgical
surgeon = chirurg liver = ficat
thick = groas noon = ora prnzului
fog = cea kidney = rinichi
rear = partea din spate to cure = a vindeca
ahead = n fa to skip = a sri peste
A Doctors Day
4 a.m. Dr. ___ Edison was driving to the hospital. ___ had got a call 15 minutes ___, about a
patient who had been ___ in the previous day. The patient ___ a 60-year-old man who ___
suffered a heart attack. He was ___ to undergo surgery that afternoon, but ___ condition had
suddenly grown worse during ___ previous hour and it looked like ___ operation had to be
performed sooner. ___ was the surgeon who was supposed ___ operate on him.
Fortunately, there wasn___ much traffic at that time of ___. The thick fog made it difficult ___
him to drive. Philip threw a ___ in the rear-view mirror to ___ if it was safe to change ___. He
looked at the traffic light ___, just in time to see the ___ change to green. At least he ___t
have to slow down as ___ drove through the intersection.
4:15. He ___ already see the hospital. An ambulance ___ him and stopped in front of ___
hospital entrance. Probably another emergency. Philip ___ a glimpse of the ambulance driver
___ he parked his car and went ___ the hospital. He went up to his ___, where he quickly put
on his ___ robe, and then hurried to the ___ room. The nurse greeted him and ___ him
prepare for the surgical procedure.
___ a.m. The operation had been successful. But ___ day was just beginning, and he ___ two
more operations scheduled. At 9:30, ___ had a patient with a liver ___. Then, at noon, he was
supposed ___ perform a kidney transplant (on a ___ with a rare blood type).
He ___ already feeling exhausted. And hungry, because ___ hadnt had breakfast. He often
___ to joke that doctors were people ___ took care of other peoples health ___ neglecting
their own; the question was, ___ was going to cure the doctor?
___, he decided to skip breakfast and ___ some sleep, or at least rest ___ a while. It was
going to ___ a hard day, so he needed ___ the rest he could get.
A Doctors Day - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


I _______ driving to the cinema when a famous actor passed.
It was supposed _______ rain today.
The teacher greeted _______ and showed us in.
He often used _______ question us before entering the hall.
It was going to be a hard day, so he needed _______ help.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. The horse had
2. She has a difficult
3. She watched her little granddaughter
4. We used to ski
5. There is no known cure
6. Cinema in Britain is

a) time ahead of her.


b) injured one of its rear legs.
c) for this disease.
d) undergoing a revival in popularity.
e) skip down the path.
f) before noon then take a long lunch.

Think of one of your normal days. Can you write a paragraph regarding your favourite
moment? Think of: place, people you are with, actions, feelings.
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22. The Beginning
Andy and Steven shook hands outside the dorm entrance. Then, Steven grabbed his suitcase
and his shoulder bag and got on the bus. Andy waved as the bus moved away, then went
back inside the dorm and into his room. It seemed half empty. He took a milk pack from the
fridge and he saw a note posted on the fridge door. The note read (= the note said), Call
Anna. Anna was a girl he had met at the college graduation party the night before. He was
going to call her later that day, to ask her out on a date.

He noticed a pair of slippers under his roommates bed Steven must have left them by
mistake. I hope he doesnt leave his suitcase in the bus, Andy thought and shook his head,
smiling. He was going to send them to him by post. They had been roommates for the past
four years, and good friends for at least three.

They hadnt got along very well at first, as they were quite the opposite of one another.
Steven was always messy, his things were always lying all across the room. Andy, on the
other hand, couldnt stand (= couldnt bear) to see things out of place. When he walked into
the room for the first time, Andy thought some burglar had broken in. He would have gone
straight to the police, but then he discovered with relief (= he was relieved to discover) that no
such thing had happened. This and other differences between the two of them were the topic
of quite a few arguments during the first couple of weeks. Andy couldnt stand loud music,
Steven never took out the trash, and so on.

However, in time, they both changed a little, and each of them learned to accept the others
faults (= flaws). Steven was quite good at fixing things such as a wall socket, or the plumbing.
The latter was especially an advantage, because they never needed to pay for a plumber.
Deep down, Steven was a good guy (= a good fellow).

Steven was going to return in the fall, but they would no longer be roommates. Andy
wondered if their friendship would last. He felt at a crossroads of plans, aspirations, and
dreams. It was the beginning of something but what was that something? Which way would
he take, and where would the chosen road lead? He knew, of course, that none of these
questions could be answered immediately (= right away), so he decided to stop worrying and
picked up the phone to call Anna.

shook hands = i-au dat mna relief = uurare


dorm = cmin studenesc relieved = uurat
grabbed = a luat (cu mna), a apucat arguments = certuri
pack = cutie de carton, pachet trash = gunoi
posted = lipit, afiat flaws = defecte
the note read = pe bilet scria wall socket = priz
slippers = papuci de cas plumbing = instalaia de ap
hadnt got along = nu se neleseser plumber = instalator
messy = dezordonat deep down = n adncul sufletului
stand = suporta fellow = tip
bear = ndura the fall = toamn
burglar = sprgtor crossroads = rscruce
had broken in = dduse spargere right away = imediat
straight = drept
The Beginning

Andy and Steven shook hands outside ___ dorm entrance. Then, Steven grabbed his ___
and his shoulder bag and got ___ the bus. Andy waved as the ___ moved away, then went
back inside ___ dorm and into his room. It ___ half empty. He took a milk ___ from the fridge
and he saw ___ note posted on the fridge door. ___ note read (= the note said), Call ___.
Anna was a girl he had ___ at the college graduation party the ___ before. He was going to
call ___ later that day, to ask her ___ on a date.
He noticed a ___ of slippers under his roommates bed ___ must have left them by mistake.
___ hope he doesnt leave his suitcase ___ the bus, Andy thought and shook ___ head,
smiling. He was going to ___ them to him by post. They ___ been roommates for the past
four ___, and good friends for at least ___.
They hadnt got along very ___ at first, as they were quite the opposite ___ one another.
Steven was always messy, ___ things were always lying all across ___ room. Andy, on the
other hand, ___t stand (= couldnt bear) to ___ things out of place. When he ___ into the
room for the first ___, Andy thought some burglar had broken ___. He would have gone
straight to ___ police, but then he discovered with ___ (= he was relieved to discover) that
___ such thing had happened. This and ___ differences between the two of them ___ the
topic of quite a few ___ during the first couple of weeks. ___ couldnt stand loud music,
Steven ___ took out the trash, and so ___.
However, in time, they both changed ___ little, and each of them learned ___ accept the
others faults (= flaws). Steven ___ quite good at fixing things such ___ a wall socket, or the
plumbing. ___ latter was especially an advantage, because ___ never needed to pay for a
___. Deep down, Steven was a good ___ (= a good fellow).
Steven was going ___ return in the fall, but they would ___ longer be roommates. Andy
wondered if ___ friendship would last. He felt at ___ crossroads of plans, aspirations, and
dreams. ___ was the beginning of something but ___ was that something? Which way
would ___ take, and where would the chosen ___ lead? He knew, of course, that ___ of these
questions could be answered ___ (= right away), so he decided to ___ worrying and picked
up the phone ___ call Anna.
The Beginning - Exercises

Fill in with the right words:


We shook______ and decided to close the deal.
The note from the stranger _______ Do not forget to smile
The peasant must _______ slipped by mistake.
However, _______ time, things will always get better.
I do not know where this road _______.
None ______ these dorms is mine.

Match the beginnings of the sentences with the endings:


1. I returned the material
2. Tell me now, I cant
3. I dont really get
4. Im so relieved to find you,
5. Vicky cooks
6. A decision was finally

a) rather well but shes always messy.


b) along with my sisters husband.
c) bear the suspense!
d) because it had a flaw in it.
e) made after some heated arguments.
f) I thought youd already gone.

Search on the internet an article regarding a famous couple (e.g. how they met, a day
in their lives, problems) Write the summary of the article.
__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________
23. Violence and Television
Most people will hesitate before taking a walk through a wood, a park or an unknown
neighbourhood at night. The shadows of the trees in the moonlight the dark shape of a
stranger the thought of such things would be enough to frighten the person who dared (to)
take that walk.

Are things really that bad? Well not really. Part of that is just our imagination, fuelled by the
stories we read and the films we watch. As long as these stories and movies make us more
cautious, its all right. But many claim that they are also to blame for much of the violence in
our world.

To support this view, some people start from the assumption (= the presumption) that children
learn by imitation. During childhood and adolescence, what they see strongly influences their
development. If they are exposed to episodes of vandalism, gangs shooting at each other,
guns, scandals, and indecent behaviour on television, we can assume they will do the same.
And its not just the movies, its the news, too. Most of the times, the news is either shocking
or spectacular, or both. Consequently, teenagers will learn to see the society as hostile,
something to be afraid of (= something to fear). This fear often generates violent behaviour.
Even cartoons, which might seem harmless, can give children the impression that fighting is
fun. No one really gets hurt in a cartoon, so children may become irresponsible.

But is television really responsible for all this? Should all action movies be banned? What
about the news? There are people who say that, on the contrary, television is an educational
medium. Cartoons, for instance, usually show the battle between right and wrong, between
good and evil. Children are capable of judgment, even if their personality is not fully
developed, and they usually take the good characters side. They learn about the
consequences of lying, cheating, stealing, polluting, etc. and if children can make this
distinction, then of course teenagers can tell reality from fiction, too.

Moreover, this world is not made up of children, teenagers and television alone. There are
adults, there is the education system. Grown-ups can pay attention to what their children are
watching, especially since movies and TV shows usually display warnings if they are not
suitable for children under a certain age to watch. Teachers can also teach their students to
be critical about what they see and read.

Most people will probably agree with the latter opinion. Otherwise, they might have to give up
their favourite show!

wood = pdure harmless = inofensive


neighbourhood = cartier hurt = rnit
shadows = umbre banned = interzise
moonlight = lumina lunii on the contrary = din contr
to frighten = a speria medium = mijloc
fuelled = alimentat battle = lupt
cautious = prudeni evil = ru
assumption = presupunere judgment = judecat
presumption = presupunere fully = complet
gangs = bande character = personaj
shooting = mpucnd cheating = a tria
guns = arme (de foc) moreover = mai mult
assume = presupune grown-ups = aduli, oameni maturi
spectacular = spectaculoase suitable = potrivite
consequently = n consecin otherwise = altfel
to fear = a se teme (de)
Violence and Television
Most people will ___ before taking a walk through a ___, a park or an unknown
neighbourhood ___ night. The shadows of the trees ___ the moonlight the dark shape of
___ stranger the thought of such things ___ be enough to frighten the person ___ dared
(to) take that walk.
Are ___ really that bad? Well not really. ___ of that is just our imagination, fuelled ___ the
stories we read and the ___ we watch. As long as these ___ and movies make us more
cautious, ___s all right. But many claim ___ they are also to blame for ___ of the violence in
our world.
___ support this view, some people start ___ the assumption (= the presumption) that
children ___ by imitation. During childhood and adolescence, ___ they see strongly influences
their development. ___ they are exposed to episodes of ___, gangs shooting at each other,
guns, ___, and indecent behaviour on television, we ___ assume they will do the same. And
___s not just the movies, it___ the news, too. Most of the ___, the news is either shocking
or ___, or both. Consequently, teenagers will learn ___ see the society as hostile, something
___ be afraid of (= something to fear). ___ fear often generates violent behaviour. Even ___,
which might seem harmless, can give ___ the impression that fighting is fun. ___ one really
gets hurt in a ___, so children may become irresponsible.
But ___ television really responsible for all this? ___ all action movies be banned? What ___
the news? There are people who ___ that, on the contrary, television is ___ educational
medium. Cartoons, for instance, usually ___ the battle between right and wrong, ___ good
and evil. Children are capable ___ judgment, even if their personality is ___ fully developed,
and they usually take ___ good characters side. They learn about ___ consequences of
lying, cheating, stealing, polluting, ___. and if children can make this ___, then of course
teenagers can tell ___ from fiction, too.
Moreover, this world ___ not made up of children, teenagers ___ television alone. There are
adults, there ___ the education system. Grown-ups can ___ attention to what their children
are ___, especially since movies and TV shows ___ display warnings if they are not ___ for
children under a certain age to ___. Teachers can also teach their students ___ be critical
about what they see ___ read.
Most people will probably agree ___ the latter opinion. Otherwise, they might ___ to give up
their favourite show!

Englez2 BABEL Center


Violence and Television - Exercises

Most people will hesitate...


This sentence actually has a present meaning, not a future one. "Will" is only there to show
that we are talking about some common aspect.
Here are two more examples:
Boys will be boys - you can say this to show that a boy's behaviour didn't surprise you.
Some chemical compounds will dissolve in water, others won't - this is simply a common
observation about chemistry.

Now add "will" to the following sentences to make them sound the same.
Most of the times, the news is either shocking or spectacular.
Children usually take the good character's side.
Influenced by what they see on TV, teenagers learn to see the society as hostile.
This fear often generates hostile behaviour.
Some people object to this view on television.
Most people probably agree with this opinion.

Put these words in the right order. Sometimes, the first word is capitalised.
the - will - see - be - Teenagers - something - society - as - afraid of - to
all - banned - action - be - should - movies ?
children - This - made - is - not - alone - world - up - television - of - and
reality - can - teenagers - tell - fiction - from
not - Some - movies - for - children - suitable - a - watch - are - certain - age - to - under

Cartoons can give children the impression that fighting is fun - we think this is highly
probable
Children may become irresponsible - we think this is probable
Cartoons could have this effect - we actually think it's highly probable, but we don't want to
say it; so we use "could", which seems less strong than "can"
Cartoons might seem harmless - we think this is only slightly probable

OK, now here are some sentences. Change them to show how probable you think they
are.
Don't pay attention to the shadows and sounds around you when you're walking through a
park at night.
__________________________________________________________________________
The thought of such things will scare you.
__________________________________________________________________________
Possession of guns will become legal in Europe.
__________________________________________________________________________
If children watch television unattended (= with no adult paying attention to what they are
doing), they will be exposed to episodes of violence.
__________________________________________________________________________
Cartoons teach children the difference between right and wrong.
__________________________________________________________________________
You can say that television is harmful, but then you'll have to give up your favourite show.
__________________________________________________________________________
What they see strongly influences their behaviour.
__________________________________________________________________________

Englez2 BABEL Center


24. Bach Puts His Friends to Sleep

Most composers would feel they had failed if their work put an audience to sleep. But J.S.
Bach composed one of his most famous pieces precisely for that purpose.

Among Bach's admirers was a noble who had a terrible case of insomnia. In 1742, Bach
wrote the Goldberg Variations to help Count Keyserling fall asleep. Evidently it worked,
because the count couldn't get enough of the pieces; he requested that they be played over
and over. Written toward the end of Bach's life, the Goldberg Variations far exceed their
original purpose. They beautifully demonstrate Bach's ability to unite his vast technical skill
with his artistic sensibility, while throwing in a dash of playfulness.

The Goldberg Variations consist of a theme and variations written for harpsichord, a twangy-
sounding keyboard instrument shaped similarly to a piano (on a piano the sound is produced
by a hammer striking the strings, and on a harpsichord the sound is produced by plucking the
strings). The first piece of the Variations--the main theme--is a wonderfully simple but elegant
two-part air. It is followed by 30 variations on the theme and a final return to the opening
theme. The opening aria is probably the most sleep-inducing piece in the collection. The
variations range in character from whimsical to labored to furious, and each is more difficult to
play than the last. In many of the variations, the theme's melody is obscured, but careful
listeners will notice that the bass line (lowest part) is nearly always recognizable.

What Bach intended as a humble gift to an insomniac friend resulted in a monumental work
that is probably the greatest of the hundreds of harpsichord variations written by composers
throughout the early 18th century.

to fail = a eua, a da gre keyboard = claviatur


count = conte shaped = de forma
couldnt get enough of = nu se mai stura hammer = ciocan (ciocnel)
de striking = care lovete
requested = a cerut, a solicitat strings = coarde
that they be = ca ele s fie plucking = (aici) ciupind
over and over = again and again air = arie
exceed = go beyond sleep-inducing = care induce somn
throwing in = putting into it range = variaz
dash = nire; o urm lsat rapid cu whimsical = capricious
pensula labo(u)red = muncit
playfulness = inclination to play, to have obscured = hidden
fun recognizable = which can be recognized
harpsichord = clavecin humble = umil
twangy = nazal throughout = de-a lungul

Englez2 BABEL Center


Bach Puts His Friends to Sleep
Most composers would feel they had ___ if their work put an audience ___ sleep. But J.S.
Bach composed one ___ his most famous pieces precisely for ___ purpose.
Among Bach's admirers was a ___ who had a terrible case of ___. In 1742, Bach wrote the
___ Variations to help Count Keyserling fall ___. Evidently it worked, because the ___
couldn't get enough of the pieces; ___ requested that they be played over ___ over. Written
toward the end of ___ life, the Goldberg Variations far exceed ___ original purpose. They
beautifully demonstrate Bach's ___ to unite his vast technical skill ___ his artistic sensibility,
while throwing in ___ dash of playfulness.
The Goldberg Variations consist ___ a theme and variations written for ___, a twangy-
sounding keyboard instrument shaped ___ to a piano (on a piano ___ sound is produced by a
hammer ___ the strings, and on a harpsichord ___ sound is produced by plucking the ___.
The first piece of the ___ main theme--is a wonderfully simple but ___ two-part air. It is
followed by ___ variations on the theme and a ___ return to the opening theme. The ___ aria
is probably the most sleep-inducing ___ in the collection. The variations range ___ character
from whimsical to labored to ___, and each is more difficult ___ play than the last. In many
___ the variations, the theme's melody is ___, but careful listeners will notice ___ the bass
line (lowest part) is ___ always recognizable.
What Bach intended as a ___ gift to an insomniac friend resulted ___ a monumental work that
is probably ___ greatest of the hundreds of harpsichord ___ written by composers throughout
the early ___ century.

Englez2 BABEL Center


Bach Puts His Friends to Sleep - Exercises
There are often two ways of saying the same thing. Have a look:
Bach composed this piece.
This piece was composed by Bach.

Now try the same:


Bach wrote the Goldberg Variations.
He wrote the theme and variations for harpsichord.
The composer intended this as a gift to a friend.
30 variations follow the first piece.
Something often obscures the theme's melody.

Can you remember some words from the text?


Our attempt was unsuccessful. We have fa_ _ _ _.
I c_ _ _ _ _'t get enough of that lovely apple pie.
The manager has req_ _ _ _ _ _ that we should be more careful.
You should not exc_ _ _ the speed limit.
There is such glee, such cheerfulness, such play_ _ _ _ _ _ _ in this painting! It makes me
think of little puppies.
Some people say old cars were more nicely sha_ _ _ than new ones.
Whatever style you're after, you'll find it here. Our collection ran_ _ _ from classic to modern.
Most children are a little whi_ _ _ _ _ _ , but that's part of their charm.
This is only a hum_ _ _ expression of my eternal gratitude for what you have done.
You should drink enough water thr_ _ _ _ _ _ _ the day.

Can you make some sentences?


that over requested played He the songs be and over again
It wonderfully is air a two-part simple
probably This of hundreds is the harpsichord greatest of variations
demonstrate pieces Bach's The beautifully skill

Englez2 BABEL Center


25. Whose World Is It?
Is your boss a man or a woman? What about the president of your country? Who asks whom
to dance?

Our society is said to be democratic, and all individuals are said to enjoy equal rights. How
come, then, that men occupy most leading offices, even though women form the majority of
the population? A lot of women claim some things are harder for them to get (= to obtain)
simply because they are women. There is plenty of evidence to support this claim.

There was a time when women were paid less than men for the same job. Even now, as they
try to advance in their career, many women say they hit a glass ceiling at a certain point a
term that refers to the difficulties female employees encounter in their profession. This glass
ceiling is what makes it difficult for a woman to become a manager, for example.

How can this be happening in todays society? Human psychology might have some answers.
For instance, psychologists have demonstrated that women and men display different
attitudes, different patterns of behaviour in dealing with failure. Thus, men will usually be
convinced that the cause of failure has nothing to do with themselves, while women will most
commonly blame themselves. In other words, men have more self-confidence, while women
are less self-confident. So its not just that men consider themselves to be better leaders:
many women think of themselves as poorer leaders.

On the other hand, the above mentioned difference might suggest that men are less
concerned with such matters as perfection and efficiency i.e. (= that is), they are more
superficial. This is probably why mothers usually play the main role in their childrens
education; and thats something they do not instead of, but apart from, their profession.

In the twentieth (= 20th) century, women thought it was time to fight back, and they started a
movement called feminism. It had the usual faults shared by all extreme ideas, but it marked
the beginning of some good changes.

Today, people are finally starting to understand that you cant have civilization without
equality. Its not a mens world or a womens world, or even a humans world, its simply a
world. Competition is all right, but only according to some rules and there are a few rules
that we are not free to change.

whose = a cui display = afieaz


whom = pe cine behaviour = comportament
offices = funcii failure = eec
(even) though = dei blame = nvinui
evidence = dovezi self-confidence = ncredere n sine
to support = pentru a susine self-confident = ncreztoare n sine
claim = pretenie poorer = mai slabi
hit = lovesc i.e. = adic (id est); se citete that is
glass = (de) sticl to fight back = a riposta
ceiling = plafon faults = defecte, greeli
encounter = ntlnesc marked = a marcat

Englez2 BABEL Center


Whose World Is It?
Is your ___ a man or a woman? What ___ the president of your country? Who ___ whom
to dance?
Our society is said ___ be democratic, and all individuals are ___ to enjoy equal rights.
How come, ___ , that men occupy most leading offices, ___ though women form the
majority of the ___ ? A lot of women claim some ___ are harder for them to get (=___
obtain) simply because they are ___ . There is plenty of evidence to ___ this claim.
There was a time ___ women were paid less than men ___ the same job. Even now, as
___ try to advance in their career, ___ women say they hit a glass ___ at a certain point
a term ___ refers to the difficulties female employees ___ in their profession. This glass
ceiling ___ what makes it difficult for a ___ to become a manager, for example.
___ can this be happening in todays ___ ? Human psychology might have some answers.
___ instance, psychologists have demonstrated that women and ___ display different
attitudes, different patterns of ___ in dealing with failure. Thus, men ___ usually be
convinced that the cause ___ failure has nothing to do with ___ , while women will most
commonly blame ___ . In other words, men have more ___ , while women are less self-
confident. So ___ s not just that men consider themselves ___ be better leaders: many
women think of ___ as poorer leaders.
On the other ___ , the above mentioned difference might suggest ___ men are less
concerned with such ___ as perfection and efficiency i.e. (= that is), they ___ more
superficial. This is probably why ___ usually play the main role in ___ childrens education;
and thats something ___ do not instead of, but apart ___ , their profession.
th
In the twentieth (= 20 ) century, ___ thought it was time to fight ___ , and they started a
movement called ___ . It had the usual faults shared ___ all extreme ideas, but it marked
___ beginning of some good changes.
Today, people ___ finally starting to understand that you ___ t have civilization without
equality. It___ not a mens world or a womens ___ , or even a humans world, it___
simply a world. Competition is all ___ , but only according to some rules ___ there are a
few rules that ___ are not free to change.

Englez2 BABEL Center


Whose World Is It - Exercises
Could, Might, and Will are back! Rephrase the following sentences using them:
I think human psychology has some answers.
_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Men are convinced they are not to blame.
_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Women commonly blame themselves.
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
I guess this suggests that men are less concerned with perfection.
_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
I believe there is some evidence to support this claim.
_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Use some words from the text:


Wh_ _ _ car is that one? Is it yours?
Wh_ _ will you call when you're in trouble? You'll probably call me.
He kept asking for proof, ev_ _ th_ _ _ _ the truth was so obvious.
Can you support this cl_ _ _?
Old buildings typically have very high cei_ _ _ _ _.
Everyone wondered if the astronauts would enc_ _ _ _ _ _ some aliens on their way.
We need a large screen to di_ _ _ _ _ the results.
Some people are so afraid of fai_ _ _ _, that they never try anything.
Se_ _-co_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is good, but only in the right amount.
Will we bend our head and accept this, or will we fi_ _ _ ba_ _?
Our society has its fa_ _ _ _, but it's still better than what people had in the past.

Some sentences, please:

society said to Our democratic is be


_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
People understand starting to that finally are
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
get Some women things are for harder to
_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
are to All said individuals equal enjoy rights
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Englez2 BABEL Center


26. Information
I got an assignment to write a paper about the pros and cons to globalisation. I gathered all
the data (= all the information) I needed in one afternoon at the library. There were whole
shelves with books on globalisation or related topics, so it was relatively easy to find what I
needed. There were also computers on each desk, which made the search even easier:
hundreds of useful links, dozens of books and articles just a few clicks away. All you have to
do is go to a search engine and then type some keywords to narrow your search. While
browsing the Net, I also came across a very interesting online magazine and I subscribed to it
it was free (= free of charge).

Being informed became a necessity a long time ago, but it is now turning into a natural need;
its not at all unusual to see people reading the newspaper during breakfast or in their lunch
break, or watching the news during dinner. What is unusual is to see someone who doesnt
have at least one subscription to a newspaper or a magazine, or someone who never
watches the news or documentaries.

But today, when we have such easy access to information, we are faced with a new problem:
how do we filter it?

First, how do you tell the useful from the useless, in this information boom? We have
information coming in from all sides, we dont even need to look for it, its everywhere. But do
we really need it all? Some people dont even ask themselves why they need to know certain
things, how they will use the information, they simply want to know as much as possible.
Others are more careful to select only those pieces of information that they can use.

Second, how can you distinguish whats true from whats not? How do we test the accuracy of
what we read or hear? We can rely on television and newspapers to a certain extent, but the
Internet is too huge for any one authority to control.

These will soon become major issues in our world. Lets hope it wont be long before a
solution is found.

paper = lucrare browsing = a arunca o privire prin


pros = opinii pro subscribed = m-am abonat
cons = opinii contra charge = tax
gathered = am adunat subscription = abonament
shelves = rafturi faced = confruntai
related = nrudite tell from = deosebi de
search = cutare boom = explozie
dozens = duzini ( zeci) distinguish = distinge
type = tasta huge = imens
keywords = cuvinte cheie issues = chestiuni
to narrow = pentru a ngusta

Englez2 BABEL Center


Information
I got an assignment to write ___ paper about the pros and cons ___ globalisation. I gathered
all the information ___ needed in one afternoon at the ___ . There were whole shelves with
books ___ globalisation or related topics, so it ___ relatively easy to find what I ___ . There
were also computers on each ___, which made the search even easier: ___ of useful links,
dozens of books ___ articles just a few clicks away. ___ you have to do is go ___ a search
engine and then type ___ keywords to narrow your search. While ___ the Net, I also came
across ___ very interesting online magazine and I ___ to it it was free (= free ___ charge).

Being informed became a necessity ___ long time ago, but it is ___ turning into a natural
need; it___ not at all unusual to see ___ reading the newspaper during breakfast or ___
their lunch break, or watching the ___ during dinner. What is unusual is ___ see someone
who doesnt have ___ least one subscription to a newspaper ___ a magazine, or someone
who never ___ the news or documentaries.
But today, ___ we have such easy access to ___ , we are faced with a new ___ : how do
we filter it?
First, ___ do you tell the useful from ___ useless, in this information boom? We ___
information coming in from all sides, ___ dont even need to look ___ it, its everywhere. But
do ___ really need it all? Some people ___ t even ask themselves why they need ___ know
certain things, how they will ___ the information, they simply want to ___ as much as
possible. Others are ___ careful to select only those pieces ___ information that they can
use.
Second, ___ can you distinguish whats true ___ whats not? How do we ___ the accuracy
of what we read ___ hear? We can rely on television ___ newspapers to a certain extent,
but ___ Internet is too huge for any ___ authority to control.
These will soon ___ major issues in our world. Let___ hope it wont be long ___ a solution
is found.

Englez2 BABEL Center


Information - Exercises
What's easier: asking questions or answering them? You can't know till you've tried, so
let's start. Here are the answers, you ask the questions. Have another look at your text
if you have any doubts.

We filter the information somehow.


We need all this information.
This is how we can distinguish what's true from what's not.
You can subscribe by clicking here.
I see people reading newspapers everywhere.
I can recommend some good books to you.
All you have to do is go to a search engine.
I don't have a subscription to that magazine yet.
We have easy access to information these days.

Can you guess the word?


Before we take a decision, let's have a meeting and discuss the p_ _s and c_ _s.
Our detectives are ga_ _ _ _ _ _ _ evidence to find out who the thief is.
The sh_ _ _ _ _ were full of leather-bound books.
Some people prefer writing by hand, others would rather ty_ _.
You can na_ _ _ _ your search by typing more words in the search box.
I don't buy books every time I go into a bookshop, sometimes I just br_ _ _ _.
Take it. It's free of ch_ _ _ _.
A paid subs_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ might give you access to more information than a free one.
They were identical twins, I could never te_ _ one from the other.
He spent a hu_ _ amount of time decorating his house.
Let's not talk about that now. It's a rather sensitive is_ _ _.

Can you make some sentences?


coming from Information sidesis in all
__________________________________________________________________________
on extent can a You certain rely that to
__________________________________________________________________________
issue This will major become a soon
__________________________________________________________________________
informed time Being ago necessity became a a long
__________________________________________________________________________
read we How the do accuracy we test of hear what or ?
__________________________________________________________________________

Englez2 BABEL Center


27. Broken Mirrors: Seven Years of Bad Luck
Since prehistoric times, reflective surfaces have been viewed as windows to the soul or
portals for communicating with the gods. In ancient Greece, crystals and mirrors were used
as a means to see into the future. Other cultures feared that mirrors could entrap souls, so
they were covered during wakes and funerals and while their owners slept. The Chinese hung
mirrors over idols in their homes, to frighten evil spirits with their own reflections if they
entered the house.

It was a short step from such superstitions to believing that a spirit (or its owner) could be
damaged if a looking glass was shattered. Roman mystics in the first century AD, convinced
that all life renewed itself in seven-year cycles, launched the belief that breaking a mirror
disrupted the owner's health and good fortune for seven years. A variation on that theme was
the belief that mirrors sometimes broke because of orders from the gods, who were trying to
hide forthcoming tragedy from those who gazed into the glass. The broken mirror therefore
did not cause bad luck, but supposedly foretold its coming and resulted in a death within the
family.

There were also financial motives for avoiding broken mirrors in those early days. The earliest
mirrors were virtually indestructible, polished sheets of brass, bronze, silver, even gold. The
first breakable mirrors were made in Venice in the 14th century, but glass mirrors were not
produced until 1673, in England. They were frightfully expensive and commonly reserved for
wealthy nobles. Less affluent families that owned a looking glass therefore had to guard it
carefully, as it might cost them seven years of exhausting labour to replace a broken one.

to view = to vedea, privi


portal = portal
to entrap = a prinde n capcan
wake = priveghi
looking glass = oglind
shattered = spart
to renew = a rennoi
to launch = a lansa
fortune = noroc, soart
forthcoming = care vor aprea; existent; la ndemn
to gaze = a te uita n zare, a te uita lung
to foretell = a prezice
polished = lustruit
brass = alam
breakable = casant
frightfully = nfricotor de
wealthy = avut, bogat
affluent = bogat
exhausting = epuizant
labour = munc

Englez2 BABEL Center


Broken Mirrors: Seven Years of Bad Luck
Since prehistoric times, reflective surfaces have ______ viewed as windows to the soul or
______ for communicating with the gods. In ______ Greece, crystals and mirrors
______used as a means to see ______the future. Other cultures feared that ______ could
entrap souls, so they were _______ during wakes and funerals and while ______ owners
slept. The Chinese hung mirrors______idols in their homes, to frighten ______ spirits with
their own reflections if _____ entered the house.

It was a ______ step from such superstitions to believing _____a spirit (or its owner) could
______ damaged if a looking glass was ________. Roman mystics in the first century _____,
convinced that all life renewed itself _____ seven-year cycles, launched the belief _____
breaking a mirror disrupted the owner's ______ and good fortune for seven years. _____
variation on that theme was the _____ that mirrors sometimes broke because of _____from
the gods, who were trying _____ hide forthcoming tragedy from those who _____ into the
glass. The broken mirror _______ did not cause bad luck, but _______ foretold its coming
and resulted in a ______ within the family.

There were also ______ motives for avoiding broken mirrors in those ______ days. The
earliest mirrors were virtually _______, polished sheets of brass, bronze, silver, ______ gold.
The first breakable mirrors were ______ in Venice in the 14th century, ______ glass mirrors
were not produced until 1673, ______ England. They were frightfully expensive and ______
reserved for wealthy nobles. Less affluent ______ that owned a looking glass therefore
______ to guard it carefully, as it _______ cost them seven years of exhausting _______ to
replace a broken one.

Englez2 BABEL Center


Broken Mirrors: Seven Years of Bad Luck-
Exercises
Choose a word:
It is wonderful to see how life re _ _ _ _ itself in spring/ to see life re_ _ _ _ _ _ itself in
spring.
Some people believe that there are more than three dimensions. They say that such places
as the Bermuda Triangle are po _ _ _ _ _ into a fourth dimension, or a parallel world.
The bu_ _ _ _ took place in the churchyard.
It is natural to fe_ _ the unknown/ Fe_ _ _ _ _ the unknown is natural
Ah! You fr_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ me!
The party was so loud, that the police came to our house and told us we were di_ _ _ _ _ing
public order.
Those plates are too br_ _ _ _ _ _ _ for everyday use.
The w_ _ _ will be held at the house of the deceased.
Every sweet thing that mattered/ Has been broken in two,/ All my dreams have been sh_ _ _
_ _ _ _ /How's the world treating you? (Elvis Presley, Hows the World Treating You)
Its a very chic club where the members of the af_ _ _ _ _ _ society meet every Saturday.
Such matters must be kept wi_ _ _ _ the family.
Im not sure these actions are wi_ _ _ _ the law.
Well contact you wi_ _ _ _ two weeks.
When he first came to Hollywood, he was vi_ _ _ _ _ _ _ unknown.
Do you ga_ _ at your doorstep and picture me there? (Elvis Presley, Are You Lonesome
Tonight?)

Translate:
Se crede c spiritele rele se tem de propria lor imagine.
__________________________________________________________________________
Ceea ce vrei tu s faci este practic imposibil.
__________________________________________________________________________
Dorii s rennoii contractul?
__________________________________________________________________________
Se uita pe geam la culmile munilor.
__________________________________________________________________________
Acuzatul a fost pzit pe toat durata procesului.
__________________________________________________________________________
Se credea c are puteri magice.
__________________________________________________________________________

Put the words in the right order:


most supposedly was of the them she competent
__________________________________________________________________________

paintings there difference virtually no was the two between


__________________________________________________________________________

committing his for motive crime is the unclear still


__________________________________________________________________________

could only mirrors people affluent afford easily


__________________________________________________________________________

were sheets initially of polished made mirrors brass


__________________________________________________________________________

natural many they claim foretell people disasters can


__________________________________________________________________________

Englez2 BABEL Center


28. The World on Canvas
Hello, Im Eveline Connor and youre watching The Art Show on The Afternoon Channel. If
you have time, make sure to stop by the Arts Museum sometime this week. The museum is
hosting a national contemporary painting and sculpture exhibition. Among the exhibits, youll
notice quite a few paintings signed Amy Stevens. 21-year-old Amy already enjoys a certain
popularity among art lovers and critics. Currently studying for a college degree in architecture,
she made her artistic debut two years ago. For the next few minutes, well be showing you the
interview she gave us yesterday.

Hello, Amy. Youve gained a reputation as a painter of the countryside.

Hello, Eveline. Youre absolutely right. I spent most of my childhood in a village in the north. I
still carry with me the memory of the fresh air that filled my lungs with every deep breath I
took. The hills I used to climb, the rivers I crossed, the woods I used to wander through, the
clouds that brought the rain You can find it all in my paintings. My inspiration is indeed the
country landscape.

Still, you are usually quoted in connection with postmodern art.

That is no less true. Theres more to my paintings than just that. Here, have a look at this one
here: its called Not Out of the Woods Yet. Most of the painting is a plain, with a forest in the
background. Theres nothing on the plain, yet you can see a reflection in the river running
across the field. The sky is overcast (= cloudy) and the sun is setting. A storm seems to be
approaching. All these elements contribute to an atmosphere of terror, they give the viewer a
feeling of uneasiness, of insecurity. When I paint, I like to go beyond the physical world and
explore the effects nature can have on our mind.

Any more shows on your agenda in the near future?

Well, with the summer approaching, Im thinking of taking a vacation. Im going to spend one
month in the Far East, to change the scenery artistically speaking. Id like to get new ideas
for my paintings.

All right, Amy. Thank you for this interview. Good luck! I hope youll be back on our show
soon.

Thank you Eveline. Id like that.

canvas = pnz landscape = peisaj


sometime = cndva quoted = citat
is hosting = gzduiete out of the woods = n afara dificultilor
exhibition = expoziie plain = cmpie
exhibits = exponate background = fundal
quite a few = destul de multe running = care curge
degree = diplom overcast = nnorat
carry = port is setting = apune
lungs = plmni uneasiness = stnjeneal, nelinite
to wander = a hoinri the Far East = Orientul ndeprtat

Englez2 BABEL Center


The World on Canvas
Hello, I___ Eveline Connor and youre watching ___ Art Show on The Afternoon Channel.
___ you have time, make sure to ___ by the Arts Museum sometime this ___. The museum is
hosting a national ___ painting and sculpture exhibition. Among the ___, youll notice quite a
few paintings ___ Amy Stevens. 21-year-old Amy ___ enjoys a certain popularity among art
___ and critics. Currently studying for a ___ degree in architecture, she made her ___ debut
two years ago. For the ___ few minutes, well be showing ___ the interview she gave us
yesterday.
___, Amy. Youve gained a reputation ___ a painter of the countryside.
Hello, ___. Youre absolutely right. I spent ___ of my childhood in a village ___ the north. I
still carry with ___ the memory of the fresh air ___ filled my lungs with every deep ___ I took.
The hills I used ___ climb, the rivers I crossed, the ___ I used to wander through, the ___ that
brought the rain You can ___ it all in my paintings. My ___ is indeed the country
landscape.
Still, ___ are usually quoted in connection with ___ art.
That is no less true. ___s more to my paintings than ___ that. Here, have a look at ___ one
here: its called Not ___ of the Woods Yet. Most of ___ painting is a plain, with a ___ in the
background. Theres nothing ___ the plain, yet you can see ___ reflection in the river running
across ___ field. The sky is overcast (= cloudy) ___ the sun is setting. A storm ___ to be
approaching. All these elements ___ to an atmosphere of terror, they ___ the viewer a feeling
of uneasiness, ___ insecurity. When I paint, I like ___ go beyond the physical world and ___
the effects nature can have on ___ mind.
Any more shows on your ___ in the near future?
Well, with ___ summer approaching, Im thinking of ___ a vacation. Im going to ___ one
month in the Far East, ___ change the scenery artistically speaking. I___ like to get new
ideas for my ___.
All right, Amy. Thank you for ___ interview. Good luck! I hope you___ be back on our show
soon.
___ you Eveline. Id like that.

Englez2 BABEL Center


The World on Canvas Exercises

Remember?
The hills I used to climb, the woods I used to wander through
If you say used to, youre talking about some habit from the past, or youre making a
nostalgic comment. Now be nostalgic and rephrase the following sentences using
used to:
This was my playground.
This was the place I ran to.
I still remember the rivers I crossed.
Suddenly, Im not half the man I was.
We went to the sculpture exhibition each month.
Remember when we parked/ On Butler Street out in the dark?
I hope youre shining the way you shone.

Can you remember the words?


This year, the opera building is ho_ _ _ _ _ a musical instrument exh_ _ _ _ _ _ _.
He started working in a hospital immediately after getting his medical deg_ _ _.
Smoking is bad for your lu_ _ _. But the reason why you cant smoke in here is that its also
bad for mine.
When I retire, Ill spend my time travelling all over the world, wan_ _ _ _ _ _ over hills and
plains, through the woods Or I might just watch TV, Im not sure yet.
Youre famous, your words were quo_ _ _ during the opening ceremony.
All the Rivers R_ _ was the title of a nice TV series in the 80s.
The sky is over_ _ _ _, it might rain this afternoon.
Look, the sun is se_ _ _ _ _! Where? In the west.
A feeling of une_ _ _ _ _ _ _ came over me as I was watching the dentist preparing her
tools.

Im not very coherent today... Here are my thoughts, can you turn them into good
sentences?
quite Youll A.S. few notice paintings a signed
__________________________________________________________________________
see river You across can a field reflection in the the running
__________________________________________________________________________
seems A be storm approaching to
__________________________________________________________________________
this by Make to week museum the sure sometime stop
__________________________________________________________________________
my You all paintings can it in find
__________________________________________________________________________

Englez2 BABEL Center


29. Everest wedding

A Nepalese couple felt on top of the world on their wedding day. No surprise, as they got
married on top of Mount Everest. Moni Mule Pati, 24, and Pem Dorjee Sherpa, 23, exchanged
wedding vows atop of the worlds highest peak, becoming the first people ever to get married
on the summit. It truly was a match made in, or at least as close as possible to, heaven. Even
the guest was left breathless.

There was little of the usual paraphernalia that surrounds weddings. Just oxygen tanks,
climbing equipment and some plastic garlands and traditional vermillion powder, which the
groom applied on the brides forehead. They did have some quite spectacular Himalayan
views as a backdrop for their weddings pics. The nuptials took just ten minutes and then the
happy couple had to descend due to the bitingly cold conditions.

The newlyweds had kept their plan secret, just in case their wedding plans were thwarted by
avalanches, freezing winds or faulty oxygen masks. They didnt have time to fulfill all of the
religious requirements necessary in their Hindu wedding, and so will complete formalities at a
ceremony in Kathmandu. Pem Dorjee said: With our interracial marriage, we also wanted to
give the message that caste and race are no barriers when it comes to marriage.

vows = jurminte
peak = vrf
summit = vrf
paraphernalia = bunuri personale; accesorii; dichisuri ; nimicuri; lucruri inutile; lucruri
netrebuincioase
tanks = rezervoare
garlands =ghirlande, jerbe
vermillion= rou aprins
groom= mire
forehead = frunte
backdrop = fundal
pics= poze
to descend = a cobor
bitingly = neptor
newlyweds = noii nsurei
thwart = a ncurca (planurile); a zdrnici
faulty= defectuos, imperfect

Englez2 BABEL Center


Everest wedding
A Nepalese couple felt __ ___ __ ___ ____ on their wedding day. No surprise, as they got
married on top of Mount Everest. Moni Mule Pati, 24, and Pem Dorjee Sherpa, 23, exchanged
wedding ____ ____ __ ___ worlds highest peak, becoming the first people ever to get
married on the summit. It truly was a match made in, __ __ _____ __ close as possible to,
heaven. Even the guest was left breathless.

There was _____ __ ___ ______ paraphernalia that surrounds weddings. Just oxygen tanks,
climbing equipment and some plastic garlands and ___________ __________ _______,
which the groom applied on the brides forehead. They did have some quite spectacular
Himalayan views as a backdrop for their weddings pics. The nuptials took just ten minutes
and then the happy couple had to descend ___ __ ___ _______ cold conditions.

The newlyweds had kept their plan secret, just in case their wedding plans were ________ __
__________, freezing winds or faulty oxygen masks. They didnt have time to fulfill all of the
religious requirements necessary in their Hindu wedding, and so ___ _________ _________
at a ceremony in Kathmandu. Pem Dorjee said: With our interracial marriage, we also
wanted to give the message that _____ ___ _____ are no barriers when it comes to
marriage.

Englez2 BABEL Center


Everest wedding- Exercises
TRUE / FALSE: Look at the articles headline and guess whether these sentences are
true (T) or false (F):

a. A couple felt on top of the world on their wedding day. T/F


b. One hundred couples have now married on Everests peak. T/F
c. There was little wedding paraphernalia at the summit ceremony. T/F
d. Spectacular ocean views formed a backdrop for their wedding pics. T/F
e. The nuptials took just ten minutes because of the cold. T/F
f. The newlyweds had told their families about their wedding. T/F
g. They will also have a formal ceremony in the Nepalese capital. T/F
h. They said it was a race and that many barriers were cast aside. T/F

SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a. on top of the world astounded


b. vows stymied
c. breathless background
d. paraphernalia honeymooners
e. backdrop promises
f. nuptials marriage
g. bitingly in seventh heaven
h. newlyweds social class
i. thwarted accouterments
j. caste bitterly

PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than
one combination is possible):

a. felt on top wedding vows


b. exchanged paraphernalia
c. the worlds highest marriage
d. little of the usual powder
e. traditional vermillion when it comes to marriage
f. bitingly were thwarted
g. in case their wedding plans of the world
h. fulfill all of peak
i. interracial the religious requirements
j. caste and race are no barriers cold conditions

Englez2 BABEL Center


30. Venice's Fate: A Watery Grave?
Sitting as it does on top of the water, Venice has always been vulnerable to flooding. In the
20th century, though, flooding began to look like a permanent possibility when the city started
to sink. Now, entering the 21st century, Venice is no longer sinking--instead, the sea around it
is rising.

Across the Venice Lagoon from the ancient city are the modern industrial cities of Mestre and
Marghera. In the years following World War I, these cities began pumping water out of the
ground underneath Venice to supply their growing populations. As the ground water was
drained, the soil began to settle under the weight of the city above it. Before the Italian
government came to the rescue in 1973, Venice had sunk by as much as a foot. Two
aqueducts were built to supply Venice's neighbours with water from the country's interior, and
the sinking stopped.

Unfortunately, whether due to the greenhouse effect or global climatic trends, water levels
around the world are rising. At the current rate, scientists say the Adriatic Sea around Venice
could rise three feet over the next 100 years-which would be catastrophic for Venice.

There's little Venice can do to prevent the sea from rising. However, to keep the city's
buildings and streets dry during high autumn and winter tides, scientists have proposed
Project Moses, which would install underwater barriers between the islands separating the
lagoon from the Adriatic. These barriers could rise to block incoming waves.
Environmentalists, however, fear that the barriers would disrupt the lagoon's ecology.

Charles Dickens once described the Venice Lagoon as an old serpent, "noiseless and
watchful: coiled round and round." Only time will tell if the old serpent will ultimately swallow
Venice whole.

flooding = inundare tides = fluxuri (ale mrii)


to sink = a se scufunda Moses = Moise
underneath = under underwater = subacvatice
to supply = a alimenta incoming = coming in
ground water = ap freatic would disrupt = a perturba
drained = secat serpent = arpe, snake
soil = sol noiseless = not making noise
aqueducts = apeducte watchful = attentive
greenhouse = ser coiled = ncolcit
rate = ritm will swallow = va nghii

Englez2 BABEL Center


Venice's Fate: A Watery Grave?
Sitting as it does on top ___ the water, Venice has always been ___ to flooding. In the 20th
century, ___, flooding began to look like ___ permanent possibility when the city started ___
sink. Now, entering the 21st century, ___ is no longer sinking--instead, the sea ___ it is rising.
Across the Venice ___ from the ancient city are the ___ industrial cities of Mestre and
Marghera. ___ the years following World War I, ___ cities began pumping water out of ___
ground underneath Venice to supply their ___ populations. As the ground water was ___, the
soil began to settle ___ the weight of the city above ___. Before the Italian government came
___ the rescue in 1973, Venice had ___ by as much as a foot. ___ aqueducts were built to
supply Venice's ___ with water from the country's interior, ___ the sinking stopped.
Unfortunately, whether due to ___ greenhouse effect or global climatic trends, ___ levels
around the world are rising. ___ the current rate, scientists say the ___ Sea around Venice
could rise three ___ over the next 100 years-which would ___ catastrophic for Venice.
There's little Venice can ___ to prevent the sea from rising. ___, to keep the city's buildings
___ streets dry during high autumn and ___ tides, scientists have proposed Project Moses,
___ would install underwater barriers between the ___ separating the lagoon from the
Adriatic. ___ barriers could rise to block incoming ___. Environmentalists, however, fear that
the ___ would disrupt the lagoon's ecology.
Charles Dickens ___ described the Venice Lagoon as an ___ serpent, "noiseless and
watchful: coiled round ___ round." Only time will tell if ___ old serpent will ultimately swallow
Venice ___.

Englez2 BABEL Center


Venice's Fate: A Watery Grave - Exercises

Look:
In the past, Venice was vulnerable to flooding - this clearly happened in the past.
Venice has always been vulnerable to flooding - this is not clearly placed in the past.
Always ask the question "When". If you can place the action in the past, completely
disconnected from the present, then use the Past Simple. If not, use the Present
Perfect:
th
In the 20 century, flooding _____________ to look like a permanent possibility. (to begin)
After WW1, the ground water ________ drained. (to be)
Water level ___________ 10 cm during the past 4 years. (to rise)
Two aqueducts __________________ built this year. (to be)
Dickens once _______________ the lagoon as a serpent. (to describe)
Since 2006, the land ____________ by an inch. (to sink)

Can you remember the words?


Fl_ _ _ _ _ _ is a common phenomenon in the villages along this river.
S.O.S.! We are si_ _ _ _ _!
This electrical plant sup_ _ _ _ _ the city with electricity.
We couldn't swim in the river because it was dr_ _ _ _ _.
Everyone is talking about global warming and the gre_ _ _ _ _ _ _ effect.
At this ra_ _, we won't be able to finish the project by Christmas.
Building a city here would disr_ _ _ the natural habitat of hundreds of bird species.
You have to be more watc_ _ _ _ with your expenses.
You have to chew the food before you swa_ _ _ _.

Can you bring some order here?


are levels around Water the rising world
__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
little There it Venice can is to prevent do
__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
barriers might lagoon's The disrupt ecology the
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
will will Time tell the Venice serpent if swallow whole
__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Englez2 BABEL Center


31. Swedens Ice Hotel: A Cool Place to Stay
Resident Swedes living 100 miles above the Arctic Circle begin cutting huge blocks of ice
each November. Once the average temperature falls below 28 degrees Fahrenheit they
assemble roughly 6,000 pounds of ice and 60,000 pounds of snow into a hotel that
can accommodate up to 100 people at a time. Shockingly cold, the Ice Hotel is easily
the biggest draw north of Stockholm and houses Sweden's most famous bar.

Constructed by Swedish engineers and resident artists in the town of Jukkasjrvi (YOU- kus-
yair-vee), the Ice Hotel opens each December and remains open until mid-April, when the ice
begins to slowly melt into the nearby Torne River. Between December and April, the hotel
draws four to six thousand overnight guests. Thousands more travel north to visit the hotel
gallery and wedding chapel.

The Ice Hotel was not conceived as a commercial enterprise. Rather, it began as a single
igloo made by the artist Yngve Bergkvist in 1988. Bergkvist used the igloo as part of an
exhibition and, according to popular accounts, the igloo remained in place on the outskirts of
Jukkasjrvi without attracting notice until a traveller visiting the town was unable to find a
vacant room and decided to spend a cool night in the igloo.

Room temperatures in the Ice Hotel are between 16 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit (= between -
8 and -3 degrees Celsius), and guests sleep in thick sleeping bags on "beds" of ice covered
with reindeer pelts. Down parkas abound in the lobby and visitors to the bar drink vodka and
loganberry juice from glasses made of the same bluish ice that forms the hotel's walls.

average = medie
assemble = a asambla; a (se) aduna, a (se) strnge; a se reuni
roughly = (aici) aproximativ
draw = atracie
to house = a gzdui
to melt = a se topi
nearby = n apropiere
to draw = a atrage
chapel = capel
to conceive = a concepe
accounts = relatri
vacant = liber
sleeping bags = saci de dormit
pelt = piele (de animal)
down = puf
parka = hanorac
bluish = albstrui

Englez2 BABEL Center


Swedens Ice Hotel: A Cool Place to Stay
Resident Swedes living 100 miles above the Arctic Circle begin cutting 1) _____________ (=
very large) blocks of ice each November. Once the average temperature falls below 28
degrees Fahrenheit they assemble 2) _____________ (= approximately) 6,000 pounds of ice
and 60,000 pounds of snow into a hotel that can accommodate up to 100 people at a time.
Shockingly cold, the Ice Hotel is easily the biggest 3) _____________ (= attraction) north of
Stockholm and houses Sweden's most famous bar.
Constructed by Swedish engineers and resident artists in the town of Jukkasjrvi (YOU- kus-
yair-vee), the Ice Hotel opens each December and remains open until mid-April, when the ice
begins to slowly 4) _____________ (= to turn into water) into the nearby Torne River.
Between December and April, the hotel draws four to six thousand 5) _____________ guests
(= guests who spend the night). Thousands more travel north to visit the hotel gallery and
wedding chapel (= capel).
The Ice Hotel was not 6) _____________ (= conceput) as a commercial enterprise. Rather, it
began as a single igloo made by the artist Yngve Bergkvist in 1988. Bergkvist used the igloo
as part of an 7) _____________ (= expoziie) and, according to popular accounts (= relatri),
the igloo remained in place on the outskirts of Jukkasjrvi without attracting notice until a
traveller visiting the town was unable to find a vacant room and decided to spend a cool night
in the igloo.
Room temperatures in the Ice Hotel are between 16 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit (= between -
8 and -3 degrees Celsius), and guests sleep in thick (= groase) sleeping bags on "beds" of ice
covered with reindeer pelts. Down parkas (= pulovere cu glug purtate n regiunile arctice) 8)
_____________ (= abund) in the lobby and visitors to the bar drink vodka and ligonberry
juice from glasses made of the same bluish ice that forms the hotel's walls.

Englez2 BABEL Center


Swedens Ice Hotel: A Cool Place to Stay -
Exercises
Use these words: melts, vacant, accounts, abound, enterprise, average, overnight,
huge, pelts, draws
The _____________ temperature is usually below zero.
The Ice Hotel is one of the greatest _____________ in Sweden.
Unfortunately, it all _____________ in April.
The hotel was not conceived as a commercial _____________.
_____________ blocks of ice are needed to build the hotel.
According to some _____________, the first guest was a traveller who couldnt find a
_____________ room in any of the towns hotels.
The beds are covered with reindeer _____________.
I dont like things to change _____________.
Fish _____________ in that lake.

Use words you know from the text:


The baby was con_ _ _ _ _ _ after the New Years Eve party.
I couldnt con_ _ _ _ _ of living without a phone.
You could easily see it was a hunters home: there were trophies on the walls, and the floors
and the bed were covered with pe_ _ _.
He was completely unknown, but he became a star ov_ _ _ _ _ _ _.
The general ass_ _ _ _ _ _ the officers and gave them the necessary instructions.
The band playing at the restaurant every Friday and Saturday was a dr_ _ for many people
who wanted to spend a nice evening out.
You saw me crying in the ch_ _ _ _ ,/ The tears I shed were tears of joy. (Elvis Presley, In
the Chapel)
Sharon Stones IQ is well above av_ _ _ _ _ .
The ice was so th_ _ _, that we were able to drive our Jeep on the lake.
Rudolph, the red-nosed rei_ _ _ _ _ / Had a very shiny nose.
Our garden a_ _ _ _ _ _ with roses.
There was a huge Christmas tree in the hotel l_ _ _ _ .

Use the present:


Ei locuiesc la periferia oraului.
__________________________________________________________________________
Putem caza 100 de oameni o dat.
__________________________________________________________________________
Temperatura scade adesea sub 0 grade.
__________________________________________________________________________
Hotelul rmne deschis pn n aprilie.
__________________________________________________________________________
Chiar acum beau nite ceai.
__________________________________________________________________________
Astzi vizitm capela hotelului.
__________________________________________________________________________
Magazinul nostru atrage mult mai muli clieni n iarna aceasta.
__________________________________________________________________________
n noaptea asta dorm n sacul meu de dormit.
__________________________________________________________________________

Bluish ice
Now translate: maroniu, roiatic, glbui, alburiu, verzui.

Englez2 BABEL Center


32. The World
When we say the world, we usually mean the Earth. But our planet is but a tiny piece of the
universe. Its the third planet from the Sun (the third rock from the Sun, as it was called in a
popular TV series), the only inhabited planet in the solar system. The other planets are
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. All of them revolve
around one star the Sun. Some of these planets have satellites the Earth, for instance,
has one natural satellite (the Moon) and several artificial satellites which are used for
scientific and technical purposes. Because the other eight planets are uninhabited, we are
tempted to think of our planet as the only significant part of the world.

Whether or not we are the only intelligent beings in the universe is still unknown. But our solar
system is definitely not the only one in our galaxy (the Milky Way). And if we think that the
universe contains billions of galaxies, we can get an idea of how huge the world really is.

How was the universe created? No one knows for sure: the beginning is lost in the mist of
time. There are basically two groups of theories: religious and scientific. Most religions,
including the Christian one, speak about a Creator of the universe. Scientists, on the other
hand, try to find a logical explanation for the origin of the universe; one popular theory is that it
was formed from the explosion of a single atom.

We assume that the Earth was formed about 4.6 billion years ago, from the same cloud of
gas and dust as the Sun and the other eight planets. It took a long time before the first cells
and bacteria came to exist. As the waters retreated and the land was formed, the animals
living in the sea adapted to life on the land. About two hundred million years ago, the
dinosaurs appeared, together with some plants and birds. The dinosaurs did not survive
but, again, there are different unproved theories concerning (= regarding) their disappearance
(= their extinction).

About 65 million years ago, the most recent era began. It is in this period that the mammals
appeared, including humans. New species of birds began their existence, as well as new
plants.

Given these facts, a lot of people, including quite a few scientists, believe that it is practically
impossible for us to be the only intelligent forms of life in the universe. Of course, all we can
do is wait and see what happens next.

but = doar
tiny = minuscul
rock = piatr, bolovan
inhabited = locuit
revolve = se rotesc
uninhabited = nelocuite
beings = fiine
the Milky Way = Calea Lactee
billions = miliarde
mist = ceaa
dust = praf
regarding = cu privire la
mammals = mamifere

Englez2 BABEL Center


The World
When we say the ___ , we usually mean the Earth. But ___ planet is but a tiny piece ___ the
universe. Its the third ___ from the Sun (the third rock ___ the Sun, as it was called ___ a
popular TV series), the only ___ planet in the solar system. The ___ planets are Mercury,
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, ___, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. All of ___ revolve around one star
the Sun. ___ of these planets have satellites the ___, for instance, has one natural satellite
(___ Moon) and several artificial satellites which ___ used for scientific and technical
purposes. ___ the other eight planets are uninhabited, ___ are tempted to think of our ___ as
the only significant part of ___ world.

Whether or not we are ___ only intelligent beings in the universe ___ still unknown. But our
solar system ___ definitely not the only one in ___ galaxy (the Milky Way). And if ___ think
that the universe contains billions ___ galaxies, we can get an idea ___ how huge the world
really is.
___ was the universe created? No one ___ for sure: the beginning is lost ___ the mist of time.
There are ___ two groups of theories: religious and ___. Most religions, including the
Christian one, ___ about a Creator of the universe. ___, on the other hand, try to ___ a logical
explanation for the origin ___ the universe; one popular theory is ___ it was formed from the
explosion ___ a single atom.
We assume that ___ Earth was formed about 4.6 billion ___ ago, from the same cloud of ___
and dust as the Sun and ___ other eight planets. It took a ___ time before the first cells and
bacteria ___ to exist. As the waters retreated ___ the land was formed, the animals ___ in the
sea adapted to life ___ the land. About two hundred million ___ ago, the dinosaurs appeared,
together with ___ plants and birds. The dinosaurs did ___ survive but, again, there are
different ___ theories concerning (= regarding) their disappearance (= their ___).
About 65 million years ago, the ___ recent era began. It is in ___ period that the mammals
appeared, including ___. New species of birds began their ___, as well as new plants.
Given ___ facts, a lot of people, including ___ a few scientists, believe that it ___ practically
impossible for us to be ___ only intelligent forms of life in ___ universe. Of course, all we
can ___ is wait and see what happens ___.

Englez2 BABEL Center


The World Exercises
Back in the mist of the beginning of our course, we had some exercises with the
passive. Can you rephrase these sentences in the same way?
They called our planet the third rock from the sun
We use satellites for technical purposes.
Youre tempting me to say yes.
We still dont know if we are the only intelligent beings in the universe.
Scientists lost the beginning of the universe in the mist of time.

Ill trade you: a letter for an underscore. Deal?


You aint nothing b_ _ a hound dog
There was a ti_ _ spot on my coat, where the cherry had landed.
The planets re_ _ _ _ _ around the Sun.
People used to imagine aliens as little green be_ _ _ _.
The Mil_ _ W_ _ is easier to eat than to study.
We were quite close to the island, but we couldnt see it because of the mi_ _.
He had been walking for days, his clothes were all covered with du_ _.
Whales are the largest ma_ _ _ _ _, I think. Or was it elephants?

Can you help words find each other and form sentences?
tiny is but the planet Our a of piece universe
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
can get how an We world idea of really the is huge
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
see can we do is All and wait
__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
are theories their some disappearance concerning There unproved
__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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33. Santa Claus: The Dark Side

In many religions, good is always balanced by evil. The same holds true for the early versions
of Santa Claus. Since the Middle Ages in Holland, children waited for the arrival of Sinter
Klaas (Saint Nicholas) riding on his white horse through town. But naughty children had good
reason to hide. They knew that lurking close behind was Klass's servant Zwarte Piet (Black
Peter) who kept a list of bad children and waited to whip them with a bundle of switches.

Most parents welcomed a judgmental Santa Claus, or, better yet, a mean partner who could
be used as motivation to improve their children's conduct. Throughout Europe, Saint Nicholas
had such a partner. In German-speaking regions, he was known as Knecht Ruprecht (Servant
Rupert), Klaubauf in Bavaria, and Budelfrau in Austria. The German version Pelznickel
(Nicholas in furs) travelled alone seeking children to punish--but always carrying nuts and
candy in case he came across good boys and girls.
Even when Santa travelled without his menacing servant, he gave children what they
deserved. In Germany, the Christmas Man travelled door-to-door carrying a sack full of toys
for the deserving, and switches for the undeserving.

Traces of the Old World Santa still survive today in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maryland and
other parts of the United States, mainly where German and Dutch immigrants settled. In these
regions, little ones still tremble at the thought of Belsnickels, who might take them away to
some unspoken place. But fear is often punishment enough and by the time Christmas
comes, Santa always rewards their good behaviour.

to balance = a cntri, a echilibra, a balansa


to hold true = a fi adevrat, a fi valabil
naughty = obraznic; ru; neastmprat
to lurk = a sta ascuns
to whip = a biciui
bundle = pachet ; balot ; grmad ; morman ; stiv ; (aici) legtur de vreascuri
switch = nuia
throughout = peste tot; prin tot
to seek = a cuta
menace = pericol
door-to-door = din u n u
to settle = a se stabili
to tremble = a tremura
to reward = a recompensa; a rsplti

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Santa Claus: The Dark Side
In many religions, good is always 1) _____________ (= echilibrat) by evil. The same 2)
_____________ (= este valabil) for the early versions of Santa Claus. Since the Middle Ages
in Holland, children waited for the 3) _____________ (= sosire) of Sinter Klaas (Saint
Nicholas) riding on his white horse through town. But 4) _____________ (= neasculttori)
children had good reason to hide. They knew that lurking close behind was Klass's servant
Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) who kept a list of bad children and waited to whip them with a 5)
_____________ (= un mnunchi) of switches.
Most parents welcomed a judgmental (= care judec moral, adesea subiectiv) Santa Claus,
or, better yet, a mean partner who could be used as motivation to improve their children's 6)
_____________ (= behaviour). Throughout Europe, Saint Nicholas had such a partner. In
German-speaking regions, he was known as Knecht Ruprecht (Servant Rupert), Klaubauf in
Bavaria, and Budelfrau in Austria. The German version Pelznickel (Nicholas in furs) travelled
alone seeking children to punish--but always carrying nuts and candy in case he 7)
_____________ (= met) good boys and girls.
Even when Santa travelled without his 8) _____________ (= threatening, amenintor)
servant, he gave children what they deserved. In Germany, the Christmas Man traveled door-
to-door carrying a sack full of toys for the deserving, and 9) _____________ (= nuiele) for the
undeserving.
Traces of the Old World Santa still survive today in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maryland and
other parts of the United States, mainly where German and Dutch immigrants settled (=
established themselves). In these regions, little ones still 10) _____________ (= tremur) at
the thought of Belsnickels, who might take them away to some unspoken place. But fear is
often punishment enough and by the time Christmas comes, Santa always rewards their good
behaviour.

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Santa Claus: The Dark Side Exercises

Try to match the words with their definitions or translations:

1. switch
2. to seek, sought, sought
3. menace
4. naughty
5. to whip
6. to lurk
7. conduct
8. mean
9. bundle
a) bad, with improper conduct
b) to stay hidden, ready to attack etc.
c) nuia
d) ru, crud, unkind, nasty
e) a package, a number of things held together
f) to try to obtain, to look for
g) behaviour
h) threat
i) a biciui

Fill in with the remaining letters:


Woah, Woman, oh woman, don't treat me so mean*/ You're the me_ _ _ _ _ old woman I
ever did see. (Ray Charles, Hit the Road, Jack)
The Christmas shopper was loaded with bu_ _ _ _ _ .
Many people travelled to America to se_ _ fortune.
Her voice tr_ _ _ _ _ _ and she started to cry.
The students con_ _ _ _ in class disturbed everyone.
A switch is used, among other things, for whi_ _ _ _ _ .
We watched Dennis the Me_ _ _ _ last night.
If youre nau_ _ _ _ , you wont get any dessert.
You never know whats lu_ _ _ _ _ behind the trees in a forest at night.

Can you translate a few sentences?


Se vedea ct era de emoionat dup cum i tremura vocea.
Toi copiii au un comportament bun n perioada Crciunului, pentru c nu vor s primeasc o
nuia de la Mo Crciun.
El face o list (= acum) i o verific bine.
Acest vulcan este nc un pericol pentru oamenii care locuiesc acolo.
Pericolul ne pndea din spatele peretelui.

Go ahead, ask me.


Nine reindeer pulled Santas sleigh.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me/ A partridge in a pear-tree.
Now Joseph and his wife Mary/ Came to Bethlehem that night. (Marys Boy Child)
And to the Earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night. (The First Noel)

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