I. Read the text and accomplish the post reading tasks.

The Belief in the Stars

When all other advice fails to satisfy, why not turn to the stars? Lots of people believe in the power of the zodiac to predict events and identify trends in their lives.

What is the zodiac? The zodiac is more commonly known as: star/sun signs, astrology, or horoscopes. It is a very ancient tradition of looking to the stars for answers about a person or people based on the placement of the stars at the time of their birth. The theory goes on the principal that as the stars and planets change alignment; events in the life of individuals born under certain "signs" also change. Astrology is responsible for the term, "born under a lucky star".

One of the most popular uses of astrology's predictive powers is in the area of love and romance. People like to see if "love is in the stars" for them, or how their "sign" matches with that of a potential love interest. There are some signs that are said to clash and others that are said to make beautiful music together.

Another popular reason for "consulting with the stars" is to see if wealth or success is in ones future. Many people feel that, when all else has failed, the stars can be counted on to give them the truth. In reality, the stars often tell people what they want to hear - another reason for the extreme popularity of horoscopes. Whether for true "advice", or just for fun, there is always an answer in the stars.

Astrology is a science of time where every moment has a certain quality attached to it. The personal horoscope is a simplified map of the moments and circumstances in our life. It is in turn a guide map for our journey through time on the planet known as Earth.

1. Choose the correct variant. 0/2 points

According to the text, the stars often tell people:

a) the solution of daily problems. b) what they want to hear. c) the way to success

2. Answer the question - How is the word ‘astrology’ defined in the text? 0/2/4 points

3. Identify the correct variant (True/False). 0/2/4 points

a) People don’t believe in the power of the zodiac to predict events and identify trends in their lives.

T F

b) The personal horoscope is a simplified map of the moments and circumstances in our life.

T F

II. Grammar. Choose the correct variant, use the right tense and report the sentence.

0/2/4/6/8/10/12/14/16/18/20 points

1. I just(cannot/mustn’t) find the time to(make/do) the accounts. I’m way behind with(my/mine) work.

2. We(hasn’t got/haven’t got) any(foods/food) at the moment.

3. I(don’t/doesn’t) understand this point of grammar. I wish I (to understand) it (gooder/better).

4. Linda said: “I am going to have a nap this afternoon.”

5. If I study, I(to pass) the exam.

III. Written production.

“Will the Internet bring people of the world closer together?” (50 words) 20 points

My winter vacation i spent a fun after the city christmas tree, the next day, i was with tanya and my mother went to the concert hall "october" on new year's performance "dvennadtsat months" we liked it even gave a sweet gift. in the new year i was with relatives in the vo, we walked and allowed salute, returning home on the subway at night, january 2 i went with my grandmother to the circus on fontanka, it was fun, there were lions, dogs and many animals druie. and when the street was freezing, we went to the okhta-park ride on cheesecakes, slides are great and fast, i really enjoyed it. at christmas, i went to my grandmother in volosovo, went there in the church, and in the forest park skiing, learned to drive fast for two days. vacations passed quickly and cheerfully.

George: Hi, Nika. How are you? I haven't seen you for ages. Джордж: Привет, Ника. Как дела? Я не видел тебя целую вечность.   Nika: Hi, George. I'm fine, thank you. And you? Ника: Привет, Джордж. У меня все хорошо Как ты?   George: I'm also well. By the way, you look great. Джордж: У меня тоже все хорошо. Кстати, ты выглядишь отлично.   Nika: Thanks. I've started attending the gym recently and it feels great. Ника Я недавно начала посещать тренажерный зал и чувствую себя прекрасно.   George: I didn't know you were a fan of sport. Джордж: А я и не знал, что ты фанатка спорта.   Nika: I can't say I'm a fan of certain sport, but I try to lead a healthy lifestyle. Ника: Я не могу сказать, что я фанатка какого-то определенного спорта, но я стараюсь вести здоровый образ жизни.   George: Sounds interesting. What do you do at the gym? Джордж: Звучит интересно. Что ты делаешь в тренажерном зале?   Nika: Well, every day is different. For example, on Mondays and Wednesdays I attend the aerobics class. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I do yoga. On Friday I do just a few simple exercises. At weekend I relax. Ника: Ну, каждый день по-разному. Например, по понедельникам и средам я посещаю уроки аэробики. По вторникам и четвергам я занимаюсь йогой. В пятницу я делаю только несколько простых упражнений. По выходным я отдыхаю.   George: What's the benefit from aerobics? Джордж: Какая польза от аэробики?   Nika: It's really good for my heart and it helps me to keep fit during the week. Ника: Это действительно полезно для сердца и быть в форме в течение недели.   George: How about the benefit from yoga? Джордж: Как насчет пользы от йоги?   Nika: Well, it's good for stretching the body and relaxing it. Ника: Ну, она хороша для растяжки тела и расслабления.   George: That's good to know. I used to go to the gym as well two years ago. Джордж: Это полезно знать. Я тоже ходил в тренажерный зал два года тому назад.   Nika: What did you do there? Ника: Что ты там делал?   George: I did mainly weight training. It helped me to build up the muscles. Джордж: В основном, я занимался на силовых тренажерах. Это мне нарастить мышцы.   Nika: Why did you give up then? Ника: Тогда, почему ты перестал заниматься?   George: I didn't have a good company and it felt boring to go there every day all alone. Джордж: У меня не было хорошей компании и казалось скучным ходить туда одному каждый день.   Nika: I see. You can join me if you want. I think there is a special room at this gym for weight training. Ника: Понятно. Можешь присоединиться ко мне, если хочешь. По-моему, в этом тренажерном зале есть специальная комната для силовых тренировок.   George: With pleasure. When are you planning to go there next time? Джордж: С удовольствием. Когда ты планируешь пойти туда в следующий раз?   Nika: Tomorrow morning. Ника: Завтра утром.   George: I'll come with you. By the way, does your healthy lifestyle include only physical training? Джордж: Я пойду с тобой. Кстати, твой здоровый образ жизни включает только физические упражнения?   Nika: No, it doesn't. I also try to eat healthy food. Ника: Нет. Я также пытаюсь есть здоровую пищу.   George: Tell me a bit more about it. I also want to switch to healthy lifestyle. Джордж: Расскажи мне немного об этом. Я тоже хочу перейти на здоровый образ жизни.   Nika: Well, I try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, cereals and wholemeal bread. I also don't eat much meat these days. Ника: Ну, я стараюсь есть много фруктов и овощей, злаков и хлеба из непросеянной муки. А также, я не ем много мяса в эти дни.   George: I see. Any other secrets of healthy lifestyle? Джордж: Понятно. Есть ли еще какие-нибудь секреты здорового образа жизни?   Nika: Yes. Try to avoid stressful situations and don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. If you follow all these rules, you'll quickly feel how your body re-energizes. Ника: Да. Старайся избегать стрессовых ситуаций и не пей алкоголь, не кури сигарет. Если ты будешь следовать всем этим правилам, ты быстро почувствуешь, как твой организм наполняется энергией.   George: Thank you for your advice. I will also try to make my way of living healthier. Джордж за твои советы. Я тоже постараюсь сменить свой образ жизни на здоровый.   Nika: When are you going to start? Ника: Когда ты хочешь начать?   George: Tomorrow morning. It isn't difficult when you have a partner like you. Джордж: Завтра утром. Это будет несложно с таким партнером как ты.   Nika: I'm also happy to have someone who will accompany me to the gym. Ника: Я тоже рада, что нашла человека, который будет ходить со мной в тренажерный зал.