Вариант 1

The Internet entered the life of people in the 20th century. It took us less than ten years to face the fact of its spreading all over the world, including the developing countries. It has become not only the hugest information resource in the world, but one of the most rapid means of communication. People from different countries have got an opportunity to communicate with each other in quite a short time. In comparison with a snail-mail or even airmail, an e-mail gets over distance and time, borders of states with a fascinating speed.
Thus, people get closer to each other. Now they have got a chance to get to know each other better, to become aware of what is common among nations and unites them, and what is different.

Вариант 2

Physical Education is one of the subjects taught at school. Students do many different sports, exercises, and activities. There are many types of physical fitness. Physical education keeps kids and adults fit and active. It is very important for their health and well-being.
Scientists have shown that brain development and physical exercise go hand in hand. Physical education can help academic success. It is important to educate people in the field of healthy and smart ways to stay active.

Вариант 3

Sleep is food for the brain. During sleeping, important body functions and brain activity occur. Skipping sleep can be really harmful. You can look bad, you may feel moody, perform poorly. Sleepiness can make it hard to get along with your family and friends and hurt your scores on school exams. Teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night to function best. Unfortunately, most teens do not get enough sleep.
Not getting enough sleep or having sleep difficulties can limit your ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems. You may even forget important information like names, numbers, your homework or a date with a special person in your life. Moreover, lack of sleep can lead to aggressive or inappropriate behavior.

Вариант 4

Scientists have discovered that being an only child doesn't just lead to differences in behaviour. It actually influences a child's brain development. The participants in this latest study were given tests to measure their intelligence and personality. In addition, their brains were scanned with special machines.
Although the results didn't show any difference in intelligence between the two groups, they did reveal that only children are more flexible in their thinking. But according to personality tests, they are not always really nice people.

As for the brain scanning, only children had more volume in the areas associated with language understanding. By contrast, the brains of only children had less volume in the areas which are responsible for emotions.

Вариант 5

Why do cats purr? Humans tend to think that purring is a sign of happiness in a cat, but there are other reasons why our pets produce these particular sounds. Purring is a habit that develops very early in a cat's life. The most usual time for purring is in company. It can be a sign of social pleasure. Moreover, it can mean that the cat is asking to be fed or stroked.
Strangely, vets also report that cats will purr when they are in great pain or even before death. It is not good to show weakness as this could encourage larger animals to eat you. The purr may just mean: «Everything's fine, I'm on top of the world. Nothing to see here, go away please».

Вариант 6

There are numerous health benefits of owning a pet. The lowered blood pressure of a dog owner, for example, can be explained by the increased exercise taken on a daily basis. Going for a walk with your pet can also facilitate your social interaction, which can improve mood and reduce stress levels. If you live alone, pets can help overcome loneliness and encourage the feeling of responsibility for another being. Pets can also teach people with learning difficulties to communicate with the outside world. That is the miracle of pet ownership.
There is the inevitable downside to pet ownership. The death of a pet can lead to the same, or similar feelings of loss that we experience when we lose a human member of our family.

Вариант 7

The Ancient Egyptian pyramids are some of the most impressive structures ever built by human. Many of the pyramids are still present today for us to see and explore.
The pyramids were built as burial places to the Pharaohs. As part of their religion, the Egyptians believed that the Pharaoh needed certain things to take with him in the afterlife.
Deep inside the pyramids lays the Pharaoh's burial chamber which would be filled with treasure and various items for the Pharaoh to use in the afterlife. The walls were often covered with carvings and paintings. Near the Pharaoh's chamber would be other rooms where family members and servants were buried. There were often smaller rooms that acted as temples and larger rooms for storage. Narrow passageways led to the outside.

Вариант 8

Modern cell phones are capable of much more than just sending and receiving phone calls. Mobile phones used in today's world allow users to send and receive text messages, emails, photos and videos as well as access the internet, play games, listen to music, use GPS and more. The cell phone has become an important communication tool that is used by people all over the world to keep in contact with each other at any time.
Despite all the positive benefits of cell phones, there are also some negative side effects which include the danger of cell phones being used while driving, students cheating on tests by using their cell phone to access information. Cell phones are often banned in classrooms due to the distractions they can cause.

Вариант 9

A recent study shows that some male cockatoos create their own musical tools for drumming. The drumming and rhythm seem to be an extra component made to impress the ladies. Each bird has its own distinct style. Other animals (e.g. frogs and birds) use drumming and music to communicate as well, but cockatoos can drum at a steady rhythm, with a totally unique style, for up to half an hour — which takes quite a bit of practice.
Moreover, plenty of animals use tools, but far fewer make those tools themselves.
Among humans, a regular beat is associated with group-based activity, especially dancing. As for the cockatoos, drumming with a regular beat is a done solo.

Вариант 10

We go to a theatre to see a play, that is to say, a performance given by actors and actresses. A play of a serious character, dealing with important human problems is called a tragedy. A play of a humorous, lighter character is a comedy. Dramatists are called playwrights nowadays, and there are no longer such great dramatists as Shakespeare or Show.
If we want to go to a theatre, we buy tickets at a box office and show them to an attendant at an entrance. In the building, there is a hall, a large foyer and a cloakroom where we leave our overcoats, hats, etc. An audience can walk in the foyer in the intervals. Many doors lead to an auditorium consisting of stalls, boxes, and balconies. In front of the auditorium, there is a curtain separating it from a stage. The curtain rises when a play begins and falls at the end of each act.

Вариант 11

I will never forget my first visit to the Bolshoy Theatre. My mother bought two advance tickets for a performance of the ballet "Sleeping Beauty" by Tchaikovsky. We had come to the theatre long before the performance began. A sign at the entrance of the theatre said "full house". Many people were standing at the entrance of the theatre asking if we had an extra ticket.
We left our coats in the cloakroom and bought a programme from the usher to see what the cast was. I remember we were glad to see that Ulanova was dancing the main part. When we walked into the hall, the orchestra was tuning in their instruments. We found our seats which were in the stalls and went exploring the theatre. My mother showed me the boxes, the pit, the dress-circle and the balconies.
At 12 sharp, the lights went down. The conductor appeared, and the overture began. After the overture, the curtain went up. I had never seen anything more wonderful. The scenery and the dancing were superb. The ballet seemed to be a fairy tale. When the last curtain fell, the house burst into applause. The performance was a great success with the public. It was one of my brightest memories.

Вариант 12

Sports is something which almost all of us have done at some point in our lives. But, there are a few people who take it to a whole new level and do some of the most daring sports possible. Scuba diving is not for the faint-hearted. It was wonderful to explore the underwater world, but it is filled with many dangers. If a diver ascends too fast to reach the surface, it can lead to a life threatening condition. Then there is always a chance of getting attacked by such dangerous underwater animal as a shark. Mountain Climbing involves climbing up and down the mountains. The climbers are exposed to many risks. The sport requires the climbers to be extremely fit and you have to have years of experience before moving on to climb some of the tougher mountains.

Вариант 13

Robots start to play an active role in the medical check-ups of patients. They can do it at a distance if a patient is very far away from the hospital. Robotic technology is very important in telemedicine, but these days robots go one step further. They can move patrol hospital corridors and call on the rooms to check on patients' health. After the examination of the patient, the robot can put all the results on record for the doctor to see and make further instructions to the medical staff. Medical robots look like a mobile cart with a video screen and medical monitoring equipment. The cart "knows" which way to go and which patients to monitor at a given time. This device frees the doctors' time.

Вариант 14

Chinese food is famous all over the world. Chinese cuisine has countless delicious and fantastic dishes. Ingredients of Chinese food are various and sometimes shocking to foreigners. Chinese cuisine varies even across China. There are many regional cuisines with different flavours: spicy, sweet, sour. China has its own unique dining culture and etiquette, which foreign visitors may find quite different from what they are used to. Chinese use chopsticks to pick up food, not knives and forks. There are usually not salt or pepper shakers, or tomato sauce on the table, but you may find bottles of soy sauce, vinegar, and chilli paste on the table. Some Chinese restaurant can be quite noisy and smoky where people don't control their talking volume or smoking. Tips are not expected in Chinese restaurant, as the service fee is included in the food price.

Вариант 15

Many pieces of clothing are invented for a functional purpose before they ever become fashionable, but as they become symbolic of a certain kind of lifestyle, certain items become expressive of meaning. For example, cowboy boots originated as functional footwear for men working in the West. Cowboys were seen as rugged and individualistic because of the demands of their occupation, and cowboy boots have persisted as a choice fashion item for people wishing to express these values. Even when worn far from ranches or cows, cowboy boots continue to signify values that appeal to people everywhere. Fashion is often fueled by the desire to be different enough to stand out but similar to belong to the group that your clothing helps to identify.