Special effects for better results

A way to reduce noise pollution

Colours for the classroom

Music in the classroom

Music for relaxation

Different effects of music

 

A.          

Everybody remembers what school smells and sounds like. It may seem unimportant but research results suggest that smells and sounds can influence learning ability and creativity. Some schools are now introducing noises, music and even smell into the classroom. The aim is to see which of these factors can improve students’ grades.

B.           

It’s obvious that the constant sounds of traffic, airports and police sirens are a part of a busy city. Numerous studies have focused on the combined effect of aircraft and road traffic sounds on reading ability and memory. It was found out that children from schools near big airports reported annoyance and showed less success at exams, which proves that the aircraft noise is the most harmful type of machinery noise.

C.           

The International Noise Awareness Day was started by the American Centre for Hearing and Communication in 1995. The aim of this day, which takes place every year in April, is to raise awareness among the people of the noise problem and the risks it makes. On that day people are asked to turn off noise sources such as TV sets and auto engines for a few hours and to enjoy the silence.

D.          

There is no one best colour, some are just better than others in different situations. The design of the classroom is very important, too. It should be nice and pleasant and help students to focus on learning – remember about it when you paint the walls! Generally, light blue and purple have a calming effect on learners. Warm tones like peach and light yellow provide a relaxing atmosphere that is good for learning too. Most physiologists say that red, white, black and brown should be avoided in the classroom.

E.           

However, when students do tasks in groups or discuss something, noise is unavoidable. Sometimes the noise distracts other students. To prevent this, a traffic light system has been introduced. A large set of traffic lights, made of coloured paper, is placed in the classroom. When the noise is acceptable, the green light is on. When it gets too loud, the yellow light is put on. Changing to the red light means the end of activities or complete silence.

F.           

On the other hand, some noises stimulate creativity, but the sound should be neither too high nor too low. There was a special experiment held in an office. While working, the people were listening to different melodies, played at different levels. It was observed that the most original projects were created when the songs and compositions were played at a medium level. Low and high levels, on the other hand, damaged creativity.

G.          

According to Professor Shields, listening to classical or calm music helps creative learning. This conclusion is not really new. For a long time, teachers and coaches have been using quiet melodies to inspire their students and stimulate their imagination. This is particularly useful in art classes, where students learn to create pieces of art like pictures, sculptures and hand-made articles.

Чтение 33.

 

Прочитайте тексты и установите соответствие между текстами и их заголовками: к каждому тексту, обозначенному буквами А–G, подберите соответствующий заголовок, обозначенный цифрами 1–8. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании есть один лишний заголовок.

 

The dark bird of evil

A prominent literary character

Fun lovers

Alike but different

The guardians of the country

Smart and cunning

Born to be free

Favourite diet

 

A.          

For intelligence, ravens rate up with chimpanzees and dolphins. These birds have the largest brain of any bird species. Ravens can push rocks on people to keep them from climbing to their nests and play dead to scare other ravens away from a delicious meal. If a raven knows another raven is watching, it hides its food. It pretends to put the food in one place but hides it in another.

B.           

It’s amazing to watch ravens sliding on snow-covered roofs. For entertainment, they also roll down snowy hills. Ravens often play keep-away with other animals like wolves, foxes and dogs. They even make toys—a rare animal behaviour—from sticks, pine cones, golf balls, or rocks to play with each other or by themselves. When they feel bored, they mock other creatures and find it very amusing.

C.           

According to surveys, the ravens are one of the main reasons why tourists come to see the Tower of London. Nobody knows when the ravens first appeared there but there is a belief that at least six ravens must always remain on the territory of the Tower. Otherwise, the British Monarchy may fall. To prevent the birds from flying away their wings are clipped every three weeks.

D.          

In the past, in some cultures, people were truly afraid of these dark birds. In Germany, ravens were considered to be the incarnation of criminals’ souls or sometimes Satan himself. In Sweden, ravens were thought to be the souls of murdered people. And in Denmark, people believed that it was dangerous to look at ravens because you could turn into a raven yourself.

E.           

Sometimes people find injured ravens and take them home, but keeping a raven as a pet is really difficult. These birds require a lot of care, a lot of freedom, and a lot of time. Ravens are wild creatures, and are not pets in the same way as cats and dogs are. If the bird is strong and healthy, it is unfair and cruel to keep it in captivity. In some countries it’s even illegal. So if you really love and admire these birds, enjoy them from a distance!

F.           

Crows and ravens are often confused with each other because they are both black birds. Even people who are well aware of the differences between the two birds can get confused. You can tell them apart by their voice and differences in their behaviour. Ravens are larger than crows, with thicker beaks, and longer tails. Ravens have a deeper voice than crows.

G.          

Many poets and writers wrote about ravens in their works. Shakespeare refers to the raven more often than to any other bird. The raven Grip plays an important part in Charles Dickens' book Barnaby Rudge. Edgar Allan Poe presents the raven as a mystical messenger in his poem The Raven. The wise and sensible raven is also a popular figure in fairy tales.

 

 

 

 

Чтение 34.

Прочитайте тексты и установите соответствие между текстами и их заголовками: к каждому тексту, обозначенному буквами А–G, подберите соответствующий заголовок, обозначенный цифрами 1–8. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании есть один лишний заголовок.

 

Safety issues

A growing number

Mountain biking

Price list

Transport for hire

A month to check

World popularity

Some improvement needed

 

A.          

More than five thousand bicycles have recently appeared in London. They are available for everyone who wants to ride easily in the centre of the British capital. To take a bike, you need to be registered and get a special key. The system was planned as an addition to the city public transport. The City Council expects people to travel short distances by bike instead of going by bus or car.

B.           

The first half an hour’s ride is free. An hour’s journey costs a pound. To travel twenty four hours on the same bike will cost you about fifty pounds. On the other hand, it is possible to change your bike every half an hour at one of the three hundred parking stations and ride for free!

C.           

Before the system had started working, more than eleven thousand Londoners registered for new bikes. The company ‘Transport for London’ announced that they would be testing the system for four weeks. This time was needed to correct any technical difficulties and receive people’s comments. According to a representative of the company, four weeks would be enough to understand how the system worked.

D.          

The bicycle is an ecologically-friendly means of transport because unlike cars and buses it does not pollute the air. Nevertheless, some members of the Green Party in London spoke against the new system. They called it inconvenient because the bicycles have no locks and big baskets. They also suggested introducing a fixed hire tariff and travel tickets for needy families.

E.           

The first bicycle public transport system was introduced in Copenhagen in the 1990s. At present, there are similar schemes in a number of cities in Europe and North America. In 2007, the same project was realized in Paris. It still works very successfully, with over twenty thousand bicycles running around the capital of France. The bicycles carry commercial advertisements and can be used for free.

F.           

Cycling is getting popular not only in countries like the Netherlands or Denmark, where people are traditionally keen on this sport. According to statistics, in 2012 the Italians bought more bicycles than cars. In the same year Spain suggested a plan for a 10-kilometre ‘green zone’ for bicycles in Madrid.

G.          

In spite of their effectiveness and ease of use, riding a bicycle can be dangerous. So cyclists are strongly recommended to wear helmets and bright clothes during the day and reflective clothes at night. They must not use mobile phones or earphones and they should always ride with their hands on the handlebars. All the cyclists must ride in the same direction as other traffic, stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights just as cars do.

Чтение 35.

Прочитайте тексты и установите соответствие между текстами и их заголовками: к каждому тексту, обозначенному буквами А–G, подберите соответствующий заголовок, обозначенный цифрами 1–8. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании есть один лишний заголовок.

 

Capital experts

A place to see history

Popular tourist routes

Named after its form