Text 19 Book Review
I. 1. Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what it is about.
The Guinness Books of World Records have certainly changed a lot in the last 60 years. The first Guinness Book was published in August 1955 in London, in Britain. Most editions were small paperbacks printed in black-and-white and contained more text than photographs. Now, there are colour pictures on every page — and the book also includes 3-D images.
This fascinating collection of records is divided into chapters on Space, The Living Planet, Being Human, Human Achievements, Spirit of Adventure, Modern Life, Science & Engineering, Entertainment, Sports, and the Gazetteer.
Here you will see and read about extremes: for example, the world’s tallest, oldest, shortest, and tiniest — people, plants, animals, buildings. Some have set records for pulling buses, kissing, swimming, ironing clothes, running, and for having the longest legs, the smallest waist, etc.
Some images are a bit strange to look at for too long — check out the woman with the longest fingernails in the world. Also, one man had 14 operations to make himself look like a cat.
There’s a wide range of amazing facts contained on these pages. What is the world’s most expensive hamburger? — It is available in a New York restaurant for $120. Who had the most hit singles on the US music charts? — Elvis Presley, of course, with 151 between 1956 and 2003 (and he died in 1977!). One of the most colourful sections shows records related to space, including some fantastic photographs of Jupiter. Take a look at the top movies such as the first summer blockbuster of all time, the first movie with Dolby sound, and the first to be more expensive than $100 million.
As always, there’s a helpful index in the back of the book, in which you can find subjects of interest in alphabetical order.
Please note that some stunts in this book would be quite dangerous — or at least terribly painful — for you to attempt to meet or beat them. Therefore, please don’t attempt to set any world records that would cause risk to you or to others!
_____________________________________________________
1. *the Guinness [ˈɡɪnɪs] Books of World Records книга рекордов Гиннесса
2. Gazetteer [ ˌɡæzəˈtɪə] географический справочник
3. a stunt [stʌnt] опасный трюк
2. The author describes how The Guinness Books of World Records changed with time. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What information will you find in this book?
4. Why can this book be interesting for the reader?
The Guinness Books of World Records have certainly changed a lot in the last 60 years. The first Guinness Book was published in August 1955 in London, in Britain. Most editions were small paperbacks printed in black-and-white and contained more text than photographs. Now, there are colour pictures on every page — and the book also includes 3-D images.
This fascinating collection of records is divided into chapters on Space, The Living Planet, Being Human, Human Achievements, Spirit of Adventure, Modern Life, Science & Engineering, Entertainment, Sports, and the Gazetteer.
Here you will see and read about extremes: for example, the world’s tallest, oldest, shortest, and tiniest — people, plants, animals, buildings. Some have set records for pulling buses, kissing, swimming, ironing clothes, running, and for having the longest legs, the smallest waist, etc.
Some images are a bit strange to look at for too long — check out the woman with the longest fingernails in the world. Also, one man had 14 operations to make himself look like a cat.
There’s a wide range of amazing facts contained on these pages. What is the world’s most expensive hamburger? — It is available in a New York restaurant for $120. Who had the most hit singles on the US music charts? — Elvis Presley, of course, with 151 between 1956 and 2003 (and he died in 1977!). One of the most colourful sections shows records related to space, including some fantastic photographs of Jupiter. Take a look at the top movies such as the first summer blockbuster of all time, the first movie with Dolby sound, and the first to be more expensive than $100 million.
As always, there’s a helpful index in the back of the book, in which you can find subjects of interest in alphabetical order.
Please note that some stunts in this book would be quite dangerous — or at least terribly painful — for you to attempt to meet or beat them. Therefore, please don’t attempt to set any world records that would cause risk to you or to others!
_____________________________________________________
1. *the Guinness [ˈɡɪnɪs] Books of World Records книга рекордов Гиннесса
2. Gazetteer [ ˌɡæzəˈtɪə] географический справочник
3. a stunt [stʌnt] опасный трюк
2. The author describes how The Guinness Books of World Records changed with time. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What information will you find in this book?
4. Why can this book be interesting for the reader?
II. Listen to the young man describing where he lived and answer the questions below.(24)
1. Why did the man’s family have to rent a flat for about a year?
2. What was their flat in the capital like?
3. How many people is he sharing the flat with at present?
1. Why did the man’s family have to rent a flat for about a year?
2. What was their flat in the capital like?
3. How many people is he sharing the flat with at present?
Script
Young man:
When I was born, my parents were living in a house in a small village about 20 kilometres away from the capital. I was three years old when my brother was born and my parents decided we needed a larger home. So we moved into a rented flat and we lived there for fifteen months, while the new block of flats we were going to move to was being completed. I don’t think my parents liked the rented Hat because it was even smaller than our old house.
We finally moved into the capital at the beginning of 1988. Our flat wasn’t really large, only 68 square metres, but there was enough room for two adults and two small boys. There were two bedrooms, a cosy living-room with a balcony, a small bathroom and a kitchen, where we used to have the family meals as well.
We lived in the same flat all the time I was at school. I only moved house again when I started university. Rents were quite expensive so I decided to move into a shared flat. Five of us rented a large flat in the city centre. I had the time of my life! I’m still living in the same town, but I’m sharing with just one person now. It’s more comfortable, and of course, there is more privacy but I often miss the big parties we used to have.
When I was born, my parents were living in a house in a small village about 20 kilometres away from the capital. I was three years old when my brother was born and my parents decided we needed a larger home. So we moved into a rented flat and we lived there for fifteen months, while the new block of flats we were going to move to was being completed. I don’t think my parents liked the rented Hat because it was even smaller than our old house.
We finally moved into the capital at the beginning of 1988. Our flat wasn’t really large, only 68 square metres, but there was enough room for two adults and two small boys. There were two bedrooms, a cosy living-room with a balcony, a small bathroom and a kitchen, where we used to have the family meals as well.
We lived in the same flat all the time I was at school. I only moved house again when I started university. Rents were quite expensive so I decided to move into a shared flat. Five of us rented a large flat in the city centre. I had the time of my life! I’m still living in the same town, but I’m sharing with just one person now. It’s more comfortable, and of course, there is more privacy but I often miss the big parties we used to have.
- What kind of job do you want to have in future?
- What do you want to do in the future?
- What questions will you ask your future employer at a job interview?
- What advice will you give to your friend who is looking for the right career?
- What do you think is more important: to have a good salary or to love your job?
possible response
1. Nowadays there is a great variety of jobs to any taste and it is really not an easy task to choose the right one.
I began to think about my future profession at the age of 15. My favourite subjects at school are Mathematics and English. And I know well what I'm going to do after leaving school. I am interested in business economics. I came to this decision little by little. It was my father who aroused my interest in that field. You see, my father is working for an international company as a chief economist and I am often at his office where I watch him working and discussing business matters with his colleagues. So I’ve learnt a lot about this profession. Economists study our everyday life and the system, which affects it. To become a good specialist in economic and business I must know many sciences, such as business economics, finance and credits, statistics, history of economic theory and philosophy, mathematics, as well as economic management, etc.
If I pass my entrance exams successfully and enter the University I'll try to do my best to achieve my life's ambition and to justify the hopes of my parents. I also hope that I'll never regret my choice and get a well-paid and interesting job afterwards.
2. I am still in two minds about what to do after school. On the one hand I am interested in getting a well-paid job with a chance of promotion. I want to work with friendly colleagues and get on well with the boss. On the other hand, I can’t stand a monotonous nine-to- five job in an office. I like to explore new places and meet new people. I am thinking about being a travel agent or a journalist. I know that I should get a university diploma to make my dreams true. I do believe that my life is in my hands.
3. What are the responsibilities of the position?
5. Steve Jobs said “The only way to do great work is to do what you love.” I think he is the best example of a successful man. He wasn’t rich at the beginning of his career but he always did what he loved and became a business magnate. So, if you love what you do, you will be happy and wealthy.One saying says "If you follow your passion, the money will follow."
I began to think about my future profession at the age of 15. My favourite subjects at school are Mathematics and English. And I know well what I'm going to do after leaving school. I am interested in business economics. I came to this decision little by little. It was my father who aroused my interest in that field. You see, my father is working for an international company as a chief economist and I am often at his office where I watch him working and discussing business matters with his colleagues. So I’ve learnt a lot about this profession. Economists study our everyday life and the system, which affects it. To become a good specialist in economic and business I must know many sciences, such as business economics, finance and credits, statistics, history of economic theory and philosophy, mathematics, as well as economic management, etc.
If I pass my entrance exams successfully and enter the University I'll try to do my best to achieve my life's ambition and to justify the hopes of my parents. I also hope that I'll never regret my choice and get a well-paid and interesting job afterwards.
2. I am still in two minds about what to do after school. On the one hand I am interested in getting a well-paid job with a chance of promotion. I want to work with friendly colleagues and get on well with the boss. On the other hand, I can’t stand a monotonous nine-to- five job in an office. I like to explore new places and meet new people. I am thinking about being a travel agent or a journalist. I know that I should get a university diploma to make my dreams true. I do believe that my life is in my hands.
3. What are the responsibilities of the position?
- What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
- What are the company's plans for growth and development?
- What is the typical work week? Is overtime expected?
- How much travel is expected?
- What are the biggest rewards of the job and working for this company?
- What is the size of my salary?
5. Steve Jobs said “The only way to do great work is to do what you love.” I think he is the best example of a successful man. He wasn’t rich at the beginning of his career but he always did what he loved and became a business magnate. So, if you love what you do, you will be happy and wealthy.One saying says "If you follow your passion, the money will follow."