I. Prediction will

F Countries all over the world have superstitions which some people believe and others don't. Several superstitions are the same in many countries.

Many people avoid 1) (walk) under ladders, as this is believed to bring bad luck. Some people expect things 2) (go) wrong on the thirteenth day of the month, particularly if it's a Friday. Some say you must never 3) (put) up an umbrella inside the house or 4) (place) a pair of new shoes on the table. In many places, it is considered unlucky 5) (see) a black cat, while in others this is thought 6) (be) a symbol of good luck. 7) (Break) a mirror results in seven years of bad luck and if you spill salt, you must 8) (throw) a pinch of it over your left shoulder immediately.

These are just a few superstitions which some people believe in. Do you know any more?

G Flight Attendant: Welcome aboard, sir. I hope you enjoy the flight.

Passenger: Thank you. Unfortunately, I'm afraid of 1) (fly).

Flight Attendant: Don't worry, sir. Just remember 2) (fasten) your seatbelt and everything will be fine.

Passenger: I don't mean 3) (be) difficult, but I would like 4) (sit) next to the window. Is that alright?

Flight Attendant: Of course. This seat is free. You can sit here. Would you like a newspaper to read?

Passenger: No, thank you. I prefer 5) (read) books to reading newspapers.

Flight Attendant: Well, I must 6) (check) on the other passengers now.

Passenger: Oh. I'm sorry for 7) (talk) too much. I'm just very nervous about the flight.

Flight Attendant: Just try 8) (relax) a little bit, sir. I'll stop 9) (see) how you are later.

Passenger: Thank you very much. I hate 10) (be) so much trouble.

10. Read the article below and then decide which word or phrase (A – C) best fits each space.

Death in the Air.

The death of Emma Christofferson from deep-vein thrombosis allegedly caused by a twenty-hour plane journey has led to calls for an enquiry into so-called 'economy class syndrome'. The cabin crew were shocked (1) the previously healthy 28-year-old in a state of collapse at the end of a long-haul flight from Australia to London. A blood clot had spread from her legs to her lungs with fatal results. Experts believe her death is just the latest example of the growing danger posed by (2) for extended periods of time in cramped aircraft seats.

Farol Khan, director of the Aviation Health Institute, (3) to have evidence that more than 6,000 passengers a year die of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) as a result of long-haul flights. Unfortunately, as symptoms often take some time (4), the link between the condition and flying is not always apparent. But there seems (5) a clear relationship between the occurrence of DVT and the steady reduction in the amount of legroom between seats in economy class cabins. In a bid (6) the number of passengers carried and their consequent profitability, many airlines have squeezed more and more seats into their planes, at the cost of comfort and legroom. And our (7) these uncomfortable conditions is simply based on the fact that we know more seats means lower prices. But with limited opportunities (8) or move around, the blood circulation in passengers' legs (9) to slow down, and blood clots can easily develop. Most at risk are elderly people, sufferers from heart conditions and smokers. But as Emma Christofferson's case shows, even the young and healthy can do little to prevent blood clots (10) under these circumstances.

(11) a 'caring, sharing' image is something many airlines are keen on, and some of these have finally (12) to take the problem more seriously by issuing health advice to passengers 'trapped' on their long-haul flights. They usually recommend (13) the legs and feet regularly, and advise (14) walks up and down the aisle at least once an hour. But, as any experienced traveller knows, the aisles on most planes are only just wide enough for the trolleys (15) through. It is often impossible (16) down the aisle (17) to the toilets, let alone (18) exercise.

The truth is that until we are all prepared to (19) paying rock-bottom prices for long distance travel, the airlines will have no incentive (20) conditions. And a return to exclusive and expensive air travel is something nobody would (21) advocating.

1. 
   A finding B to find С to be found
   
2. 
   A sitting В to sit С sit
   
3. 
   A suggests В admits С claims
   
4. 
   A appearing В to appear С having appeared
   
5. 
   A being В to be С be
   
6. 
   A increasing В of increasing С to increase
   
7. 
   A putting up with В put up with С to put up with
   
8. 
   A stretching В to stretch С stretch
   
9. 
   A begins В risks С can't help
   
10. 
    A occurring В to occur С occur
    
11. 
    A promoting B to promote C to be promoted
    
12. 
    A suggested B considered C started
    
13. 
    A moving B to move C move
    
14. 
    A taking B to take C take
    
15. 
    A getting B to get C get
    
16. 
    A walking B to walk C walk
    
17. 
    A getting B to get C get
    
18. 
    A talking B to talk C talk
    
19. 
    A give up B fail C refuse
    
20. 
    A improving B to improve C improve
    
21. 
    A undertake B choose C contemplate
    

11. Render the following text into English using gerund/ infinitive constructions and at least 15 active vocabulary units
Правила поведения в разных странах мира.

Повсеместно на Востоке будьте готовы к тому, что вас попросят снять обувь и головной убор перед входом в дом. В Японии, скорее всего, предложат пару легких тапочек, в которых можно дойти от входной двери до гостиной. Но даже эти тапочки нужно обязательно снять, прежде чем вы поставите ногу на татами (красная циновка).

Чтобы ненароком не обидеть японца, лучше всего не «распускать» руки, а поприветствовать коренного жителя поклоном – так же, как и он вас. Однако современные японцы уже не удивляются поведению иностранцев.

В Японии чем дальше в стороне от еды вы держите свои палочки, тем искушеннее и утонченнее считаетесь. Палочки ни в коем случае нельзя перекрещивать между собой, указывать ими на людей, оставлять их на противоположной от себя стороне тарелки. Самое ужасное, что вы можете с ними сделать, - это оставить их после еды в чашке для риса стоя. Это японский похоронный ритуал: палочки для еды в таком положении оставляют у постели недавно умершего родственника.

В Корее, чтобы показать, что застолье получилось хорошим, и что всё очень вкусно, нужно как можно громче чавкать.

В Таиланде, как и в других буддийских странах голова считается священной, это место расположения души, и прикасаться к ней считается оскорбительным даже для маленького ребенка. Также туристам не стоит указывать на кого-то пальцем. В Малайзии, например, показывать куда-то нужно всей кистью руки, где большой палец указывает направление. Филиппинцы используют для этого только глаза.

В Малайзии мужчин принято приветствовать поклоном, а замужних женщин запрещено брать за руку.

В России и странах бывшего Советского Союза произнесение тостов за столом – дело серьезное. В Грузии и Азербайджане тост может произноситься на протяжении часа и даже дольше. Но говорить или отпивать из бокала во время тоста – неприлично.

В Латинской Америке при встрече и знакомстве приняты крепкие объятия и поцелуй.

В Греции, если вас пригласили в гости, не нужно нахваливать убранство дома, т.к. по традиции все, что понравилось гостю, гостеприимный хозяин-грек должен ему подарить.

В Испании принято завтракать в 14 часов, а обедать в 22 часа. За столом принято избегать таких тем, как личная жизнь, коррида и период правления Франко.
VOCAB & SPEAKING

1. Study the following idiomatic descriptions of people (personality, character, appearance); make up sentences to illustrate the use of the idioms.

  All brawn and no brain

  Someone who is physically very strong but not very intelligent is said to be all brawn and no brain.
  Doubting Thomas

  A 'doubting Thomas' is as person who will not believe something without proof, or without seeing it for themselves.

  Down to earth

  Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer but a realistic and practical person who has sensible reactions and expectations.

  

  To a fault

  To say that somebody has a good quality to a fault means that they have a lot, or even too much, of that quality.

  

  Fixed in your ways

  People who are fixed in their ways do not want to change their normal way of doing things.

  Full of hot air

  A person who full of hot air is full of nonsense and talks a lot without saying anything worthwhile.
 

  Hard as nails

  A person who is as hard as nails is someone very unsympathetic who does not seem to care about others.
  Laughing stock

  This expression refers to a person or group that everyone laughs at because they do something stupid or ridiculous.

 

 Life and soul of the party

  The life and soul of the party is the most lively and amusing person present at an event.

  

  Have a quick temper

  If you have a quick temper, you get angry very easily.
 

  It runs in the family

  This refers to a physical or moral characteristic that is common to many members of a family

 

 Saving grace

  A person who has a saving grace has a quality which prevents them from being totally bad.

 

 Shrinking violet

  A person referred to as a shrinking violet is a timid or shy person.

  

  Smart alec

  A smart alec is an annoying self-assertive person who tries to show off how clever they are.
   

  A wet blanket

  A person who is a wet blanket is so boring or unenthusiastic that they prevent  other people from enjoying themselves.

  

2. Complete the sentences with one of the idioms:

1. 
   Some ………….. interrupted the game claiming that the answers were incorrect!
   
2. 
   He's an impressive player to watch, but he's all…………….. (= strong but stupid)
   
3. 
   The witness was no ……………….  She had no difficulty expressing herself!
   
4. 
   She's a horrible person but she has one ……………., her kindness to animals.
   
5. 
   Black hair and blue eyes - the combination …………………….
   
6. 
   I'm so glad we invited Caroline. She was the ……………… of the party!
   
7. 
   My aunt is generous ………………, ready to help anyone to claims to be in need. (=excessively generous)
   
8. 
   If you wear that to school you'll be the ………………. of the class!
   

3. Look at these pairs of adjectives used to describe personal qualities.

Which pairs are positive, and which negative in meaning?
1. sensitive and thoughtful

2. dishonest and unreliable

3. mean and tight-fisted

4. broad-minded and tolerant

5. thoughtless and self-centred

6. lively and inquisitive

7. shy and insecure

8. out-going and independent

9. ambitious and single-minded
4. Match the pairs of adjectives above with a description below.
1. He’s a liar, and you can’t ask him to do anything for you.

2. He never buys his friends a drink in a bar.

3. She knows exactly what she wants to achieve in life and how to get

there.

4. He listens to other people’s opinions, and knows there are always two

sides to an argument.

5. She just doesn’t seem to realise that what she does could hurt other

people’s feelings. It’s all Me! Me! Me! with her!

6. She is very quiet and goes red if anyone speaks to her.

7. He loves parties and doing his own thing.

8. She’s always asking questions – always wants to know things.

9. She never forgets my birthday.

5. Which words in activity 3 have similar and/or opposite meanings to the

words below?
trustworthy free-spirited inconsiderate confident dependable narrow-minded generous selfish
6. We often use adjectives that end in –y to describe personality. Find the

phrase in the description that defines each of the words below.
fussy cheeky witty nosy moody
Well, frankly, my brother is all of those things. He likes everything to

be in the right place all the time. He always wants to know what

everybody else is doing, even when it’s none of his business. He is

bright and lively one minute, and quiet and bad-tempered the next.

But he thinks very quickly and says the funniest things, although

sometimes what he says is funny but rude to people older or more

senior than him. For example, he asked his teacher why his red tie

was the same colour as his eyes. The teacher had been to a party

the night before – it was very funny but definitely rude!
7. Read the descriptions of different people. Then fill in the gaps with words from the lesson.
1. Fiona loves parties – especially her own. That’s because she likes to

be the centre of attention. She’s very ___________ and

_____________.

2. William loves gossip. He always wants to know what everybody else is

up to. That’s because he’s ___________ and _____________.

3. Don’t invite John. He never buys a drink, and he’ll probably steal some

of your CDs. He’s _____________ and _____________.

4. What I like about Kate is the way she listens to people, and remembers

small things about them. She’s so ___________ and _____________.
8. Decide whether these expressions are positive or negative.
1. She’s generous to a fault.

2. He’s the life and soul of the party.

3. He’s a bit off-hand with people.

4. She’s ever so kind.

5. He keeps himself to himself.

6. He’s full of himself.

9. Match the expressions above to one of the adjectives below.
anti-social rude extravagant very kind very sociable arrogant
10. Prepare to discuss these questions.
1. What personal qualities do you think are important in the following types of people?

a. a close friend

b. a wife/ a husband

c. a parent d. a grandparent

e. a colleague

f. a boss

2. How would you describe your own personality?

Interview your partner.
11. Personality Dictionary Quiz.
1. What’s a personality cult?

2. What’s a personality trait?

3. If you have a personality clash with someone, what’s the problem?

4. If you have bags of personality, is it a good thing or a bad thing?

5. What’s a personality disorder?

6. If you get someone to do something by sheer force of personality, how

do you do it?

7. What’s another word for a TV personality?

8. If you have a split personality, what’s the problem?

9. If something reflects your personality, what does it say about you?

10. If you lack personality, is it a good thing?

11. Which of these words are frequently used with personality? Dominant,

dynamic, engaging, elastic.

READING & SPEAKING

1. 
   Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. The paragraph numbers are given to help you.
   

headscarf defiantly convert stigmatise Islamophobia burqa niqab veil jilbab glimpse

2. 
   A ___________________ is a thin piece of cloth that women sometimes wear over their face.
   
3. 
   If you act ___________________, you refuse to obey a person or rule.
   
4. 
   A ___________________ is a long headscarf worn by some Muslim women that covers the head and most of the face, revealing only the eyes.
   
5. 
   If you catch a ___________________ of something you only see it for a moment. A ___________________ is a piece of cloth that a woman wears over her heard and ties under her chin.
   
6. 
   ___________________ is an irrational fear of the religion of Islam or Muslims.
   
7. 
   A ___________________ is a long, loose-fitting coat worn by some Muslim women.
   
8. 
   A ___________________ is someone who changes their religious beliefs.
   
9. 
   If you ___________________ a person or group of people, you treat their behaviour as wrong or embarrassing and try to make them feel ashamed.
   
10. 
    A ___________________ is a garment worn by some Muslim women that covers the whole body, head and face with just a small hole or grid for the eyes.
    

2. Read the article, retell it using the active grammar and vocabulary of the unit.
Muslim women protest on first day of France’s face veil ban

Kenza Drider stood defiantly outside Notre Dame cathedral, adjusting her niqab to reveal only a glimpse of her eyes. Scores of police with a riot van and several lorries stood by as she and another woman in a niqab staged a peaceful protest for the right “to dress as they please”. On the first day of France’s ban on full Islamic face-coverings, this was the first test.

“I’m not here to provoke, but to defend my civil liberties as a French citizen,” said Drider, a 32-year-old mother-of-four from Avignon, accompanied by around 10 supporters. Japanese tourists and Spanish schoolchildren fought their way through TV crews to get a picture of the spectacle. Then police swooped.

Drider had not been stopped on her train journey into Paris. But as she spoke to journalists at Notre Dame, she was led off by plainclothes police and driven away along with two protest organisers. Next a woman in a niqab in her 40s from a Paris suburb was grabbed by a plainclothes officer, who gripped her tightly and frog-marched her to another police bus. Officers said the women were not detained for their niqabs but because their protest had not been authorised.

Under the law promoted by President Nicolas Sarkozy, any Muslim woman wearing a face veil is now banned from all public places in France, including when walking down the street, taking a train, going to hospital or collecting her children from school. Women in niqabs will be effectively under house arrest, allowed only inside a place of worship or a private car, although they risk being stopped by traffic police if they drive. But several French police unions yesterday warned that the law was almost impossible to enforce and that they would not make it a priority to stop women in full veils walking down the street.

Halima, a 53-year-old mother from Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, who wears a headscarf, was detained by police for standing silently with the niqab-wearers at Notre Dame. She said: “This is the first time I’ve ever protested over anything. I’m not in favour of the niqab, I don’t wear it myself. But it’s wrong for the government to ban women from dressing how they want. Islamophobia is on the rise in France. First it’s the niqab, then they’ll ban the jilbab, then it will be plain headscarves outlawed.”

Rachid Nekkaz, a property developer and rights campaigner from the Paris suburbs, was detained outside the president’s official residence, the Elysée palace, with a woman in a niqab. Nekkaz, who organised the Notre Dame protest, had offered to pay niqab wearers’ fines for breaking the law. He said police had not wanted to formally caution the woman for wearing a niqab.

Women in face veils risk a €150 (£132) fine or citizenship lessons. Police cannot forcibly remove face coverings in the street but can order women to a police station to check their identity. The government estimates between 350 and 2,000 women cover their faces in France, out of a total Muslim population of between four and six million. Some niqab-wearers – many of them French converts – vowed to continue going out and to take their cases to the European court of human rights if stopped by police. Others have moved abroad, while just one woman told French papers she had permanently removed her face covering. Another niqab wearer said women she knew would wear bird-flu-style medical face masks and say they were ill in order to get round the law against covering your face.

Shop-owners said luxury fashion boutiques near the Champs Elysées were unlikely to call the police to detain female tourists in niqabs from the Gulf. This would create a two-tier system between rich tourists and poor French people, one trader complained. Emmanuel Roux from the police union said the law would be “infinitely difficult to apply” and “infinitely little applied”.

Sarkozy, whose polls are at record lows with next year’s presidential election looming, has been accused of stigmatising Muslims to boost his support among far-right voters. Since he declared in 2009 that the burqa was “not welcome in France”, women in all forms of veils and head coverings said verbal abuse against them had increased. Recently the interior minister, Claude Gueant, suggested the growing number of Muslims in France was a problem. Religious groups have likened current Islamophobia in France to anti-Jewish feeling before the second world war.

France has a strict separation of church and state and banned headscarves and all religious symbols in schools in 2004. Samy Debah, head of the French Collective against Islamophobia, said: “The niqab law is a pretext to reduce the visibility of Muslims in public spaces. It exposes an old French colonial reflex, that ‘Arabs and blacks’ only understand force and you can’t talk to them.”

© Guardian News & Media 2011

First published in The Guardian, 11/04/11
3. Choose the best answer according to the text.

1. Which of these may not now be worn in public in France?1.

a. a headscarf

b. a full face veil

c. jilbab

2. Why were the women protesting?

a. because they think all women should wear burqas.

b. because they believe women should have the right to dress as they please.

c. because they believe Nicolas Sarkozy is an Islamophobe.

3. How have the police reacted to the new law?

a. They say it will be very difficult to enforce.

b. They say they will arrest anyone wearing a full face veil in public.

c. They say they will ignore it.

4. Why, according to his critics, has Sarkozy introduced this law now?4.

a. because he wants to create a two-tier system between rich tourists and poor French people.

b. because France has a strict separation of church and state.

c. because there is an election next year and he wants to increase his support among certain voters.

4. Find the word

1. 
   a two-word expression meaning police wearing ordinary clothes in order to do their job without being recognised (para 3)
   
2. 
   a verb meaning to force someone to walk somewhere with two people each holding one of their arms tightly (para 3)
   
3. 
   a three-word expression meaning officially prevented from leaving your home, usually because you have committed a political crime (para 4)
   
4. 
   a three-word expression which is a general term for church, mosque, temple and so on (para 4)
   
5. 
   a verb meaning to issue a formal warning (para 6)
   
6. 
   an adverb meaning involving the use of force (para 7)
   
7. 
   a three-word expression meaning a system with two levels (para 8)
   
8. 
   a two-word expression meaning rude or offensive words (para 9)
   

5. Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns or noun phrases in the right-hand column.

1. 
   stage a. a law
   
2. 
   defend b. someone’s identity
   
3. 
   enforce c. support
   
4. 
   pay d. a protest
   
5. 
   check e. a fine
   
6. 
   boost f. civil liberties