First of all let me introduce myself. My name is Taras. I'm seventeen years old. I'm at 11-th grade. There are two more kids in the family besides me my elder brother Oleg and my younger sister Marija

The Superstitions in Britain
There are many superstitions in Britain. But one of the most widely-held is that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house. It will either bring misfortune to the person that Opened it or to the household. The person who opens an umbrella in fine weather is very unpopular. It's very unlucky to walk under a ladder. If you must pass under a ladder you can avoid bad luck by crossing your finger and keeping them crossed until you've seen a dog. The number 13 is said to be unlucky for some. And when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, most of the people prefer to stay at home. The worst misfortune that can befall you is breaking a mirror. That will bring you seven years of bad luck. This superstition is supposed to have originated in ancient times. Because mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods. And at last there is a superstition of touching wood for luck. This measure is most often taken if you have said or done something wrong or stupid.
Questions: 1. Are there many superstitions in Britain? 2. What is the most widely-held superstition? 3. Is number 13 unlucky for people in Britain? 4. Why is it dangerous to break a mirror? 5. Why do British people touch wood?


The Irish Abroad
People have left Ireland for lots of different reasons. After Ireland became Christian in the fifth century, Irish monks left the country to teach the word of God. They went particularly to the cities of Europe — to Russia, to Italy, Scotland. Since then Ireland has continued to send missionaries round the world. Very many people have left Ireland to look for work. Often there are not enough jobs for everyone. From the beginning of the 17th century the English Protestants made life very difficult for the Irish Catholics. They could not do any of the public jobs. They could not become soldiers. They went to start a new life in some other country. Today over forty million people in the USA say that they have some Irish blood. The families of President Kennedy, President Richard Nixon and President Ronald Reagan were once Irish. President Kennedy was the first Catholic President of the USA. The first prime minister of New Zealand, John Edward Fitzgerald, was born in Ireland. Today 15 per cent of New Zealanders have some Irish blood. Nearly 30 per cent of Australians have Irish blood. Between 1929 and 1949 six of the seven Australian prime ministers were from Irish families. The people who leave Ireland do not forget it. Their children and their children's children do not forget it either. All over the world today there are people who came from Ireland. Very many people are glad to say: "My family once came from Ireland". Their parents, grandparents or their great-grandparents were Irish.
Questions: 1. Why did people leave Ireland? 2. What did Irish monks do all over the world? 3. Today over forty million people have Irish blood, haven't they? 4. Who was the first Catholic President of the USA? 5. Do the Irish forget their Motherland?