Read the paragraphs, select the answers from the list and discover the

Senior's major doubts about holidays and going to Ecuador.

First doubts ...

...
-- please select --
" - You know son, most people enjoy going   for their holidays,
-- please select --
and having the opportunity to   in an interesting city or a
-- please select -- -- please select --
seaside  . If you speak   languages - which
-- please select --
I don't - you can make new friends, and   home some
-- please select --
interesting   as presents. On the other hand, if you don't speak
the language, you might feel lost and lonely..."

More doubts ...

...
-- please select --
" ... In addition, before you can do that, you have to   your
destination, and that is often a problem! If you fly, then you may find that your flight
-- please select -- -- please select --
has been  .   by train can also be difficult,
-- please select --
since trains are often   in the summer, and you might have to
-- please select --
reserve a   in advance!!"

Even more doubts ...

...
-- please select --
" ...Moreover, whichever way you  , you can have problems with
-- please select -- -- please select --
your  , and it is often difficult to find good  .
-- please select --
Apart from this, you might not be able to afford the  ! A holiday
in a foreign country can turn into a total disaster!"

Read the 6 - day trip offer to the exotic Ecuador and answer the questions
about what the Smiths could do on that trip.

A 6 - DAY THRILLING ADVENTURE!

Join us on this thrilling adventure in the tropics and explore a world that time has
forgotten.

You will see the Amazon rainforest as well as the Galapagos Islands and historic
Quito. All travel expenses, excursions and most meals are included in the price!
Day 1: Arrival in Quito, Ecuador. Stay overnight in the capital city of Ecuador at a
luxury hotel where you will feel like a million dollars.
Day 2: We depart early and head downriver by canoe into the jungle. Here we spend
the day exploring the Amazon jungle on foot, by canoe and from a platform built
130ft above the rainforest floor in a giant kapok tree. We will have the chance to see
hundreds of species of exotic and rare flowers, and we might also see endangered
mammals such as jaguars and the pink river dolphin. When it's time to depart, we
motor back upriver for a flight to Quito and an overnight stay at the Hilton Colon
Quito. Dinner is on you tonight.

Day 3: Quito. We spend the day sightseeing in the oldest city in South America. It is
also a centre of learning, and its university dates from 1586. You will have the
opportunity to explore Quito's peaceful squares and many museums including the
Museum of Anthropology and the Municipal Museum of Art.

Day 4: Fly to the Galapagos Islands. Make sure to dress for the warm weather!
There we meet our guide and head for the Santa Cruz mountains by coach. We will
see many plant species, visit two lava sink holes, and enjoy lunch at a cozy country
restaurant. After lunch we search for giant tortoises. Then we're off to the Hotel
Galapagos to unwind and say hello to marine iguanas. In the afternoon we tour
Academy Bay by boat and have a little time to hang out before boarding our yacht
for dinner.

Day 5: During the night we weigh anchor and set off for an island stop. We cruise
around the island and spend the time leisurely in a real tropical paradise.

Day 6: We fly back to Quito and depart for home or go on other adventures.
1. If the Smiths want to visit the tropics, they will ...
...

pay extra for the meals.

have the chance to see modern places.

spend a night in the capital city.

2. The Smiths will travel into the jungle ...
...

both by boat and on foot.

by boat only.

on foot only.
3. The jungle trip offers them the unique chance to watch ...
...

both

species of animals that are becoming extinct.

species of flowers that are becoming extinct.

4. When the Smiths are in Quito, they can ...
...

enjoy the newest city.

do a lot of sightseeing.

love a bit of shopping.

5. To reach the Galapagos Island, they have to ...
...

travel by plane

take the coach

float on ferry
6. On their trip to Santa Cruz mountains the Smiths wil ...
...

enjoy nature and have lunch.

eat and visit some places.

do some mountain climbing.

Put the verb in the brackets into the correct tense - Past Tense or
Past Continuous - and find out what the father and son were doing
together on holidays. Here is an example:
Our friends .... (enjoy) the souvenir shopping when we .... (board) the ship for an
adventure on the river.

.. ...

1. Tom and his father   (unwind) 4. Anna and Sue   (admire)

after the tour of the City when we    the island while we   
(motor) back to London in less than an (explore) it.
hour.

... ...

2. We   (tour) London while 5. Our cousins   (sit) back at

they   (spend) the day inside the table when we   (depart)
because of the rain. earlier by plane for your unplanned
meeting.
... ...

3. Everybody   (spend) the day 6. Our cousins   (hang) out at

peacefully when we   (fly) back home the Olympic Stadium when we   
by helicopter. (set) off to Bucharest to see the
football match.

Fill in the gaps with the words

1.

Bob was   when he found out that we lied to him. He was

really, really angry.
2.

I wanted to go to Italy, Bob wanted to go to Spain. So we   

and in result we spent all summer at home.
3.
I’m not going to go to the beach. I hate 
4.

Let’s go  . I want to see this old Church on the Market

Square.
5.
A: Is Anna in?
B: Sorry, she   an hour ago. Please come back in the
afternoon.
6.

Bob   to London.

7.

A: Let’s go riding! Do you have a bike?

B: No, I don’t have one.
A: Why don’t you   one?
8.
It’s very hot here. Please open the window or turn on
the  .
9.
I live next to an old   who argue all the time.
10.

Oh no, look out of the window! I can’t see a thing, it’s so  .
11.

We were   for two weeks so we had to leave our dog with our
neighbor.
12.

Would you like to   in the park with me?

13.

There’s 40 degrees, it’s  .

14.

Bob likes   of mountains.

15.

My last holiday was a disaster. The weather was awful – it   

almost every day.

Complete the following postcards with the words in the box.

Postcard 1

gorgeous, terrific, touristy, spicy, crowded, friendly

MEXICO CITY
To: Brad Goodwin
14 South Street, Brisbane, Australia

Dear Brad,

This is a (1)   city, but you can’t imagine the (2)   traffic
jams and the noise. I’ll never complain about the traffic at home
again or the food! The food here is really (3)  . It’s quite a
(4)   place, but the people are very (5)   which
compensates for everything. I’ve met a (6)   American girl
who’s invited me to LA!!

Conrad
modern, snowy, breathtaking, overlooking
To: Paul Kelly
33 Container Street, Sutherland, Australia

Dear Paul,

I’m writing to you from my hotel (1)   the lake. The view is
(2)  . In the distance I can see (3)   mountain peaks and
down by the hotel (4)   parking lot I can see a lovely girl who
needs help with her equipment. I must go now!

Conrad
waves, waterfall, paradise, murmur, wind, beaches
To: John Pizzigallo
40 Ryan Drive, Sutherland, Australia

Dear John,

Yes, I’m in (1)  ! Sandy (2)   stretch as far as the eye

can see and the (3)   in the distance is so unexpected! To its
(4)   add the sound of the (5)   in the palm trees and the
(6)   breaking on the beach. The women are beautiful. I’m
never coming home!

Conrad

Choose the best answer for the following travel-related sentences.

TRAIN
1. The Chicago train leaves from ______

platform

quay

line

bank
2. Before getting on the train, make sure you get a ticket from the ______.
check - in

ticket office

box office

waiting room
3. I had so much ______ on the train, but this nice man helped me when
we arrived in Paris.

bags

box

luggage

packing
4. I got into St. Louis too late and I missed my ______ to New Orleans.

connection

link

connect

coincidence
5. After you leave Beaumont, there's a large ______ and you'll be able to
get where you want really quickly.

highway

path

street

lane
6. If the police stop you, you will probably have to show them your ______ .

license

patent

permission

photo
7. You were going 20 mph over the ______. I'm going to have to give you a
fine.

speed limit

speed rule

speed barrier

speed maximum
8. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure all passengers in the car are
wearing their ______.

belts

seat harnesses

seat belts

harnesses
9. After you check in, wait in the ______ until you hear your flight called.

check-in lounge

departure lounge

waiting room

reception
10. All flights to Canada go out of our southern ______. You can get there
on the airport bus.

terminal

zone

block

station
11. Would you prefer a window seat or a (n) ______ seat, Mr. Robson?

non-window

corridor
aisle

line
12. Please ensure you have fully filled out the green form for ______ before
we land, stating anything on the list you are carrying into the country.

customs

police

aviations

Immigration

Complete
close; confident; cool; divorced; generous;
1. grateful; independent; loving;
loyal; ordinary; patient; private; single;
Thanks for looking after my
dog for the weekend. I'm

really  .

2.

Judy is one of the most   people I know. She's always giving

me presents!
3.
I don't want a wife or a girlfriend right now. They are too much

trouble. I like being  .

4.
It will take a while for Simon to forgive you. You'll just have to
be   .
5.

Adam's parents are  , so he only sees his dad at the

weekend.
6.

Cats are more   than dogs. They live their own lives and
don't need human company.
7.

I'm very   to my best friend. I'd never talk about her behind
her back.
8.

Sandy's such a   dog. He's always so happy to see us when

we come home!
9.

I'm not a very   person. I get nervous when I have to speak

in public.
10.

I’m a person with a   life and I demand you to respect that.

11.

I tell my sister all my problems and secrets. We have a very   

relationship.
12.

My uncle's really   !. He's in a rock band!

Type in the words that name the body parts. The first letter has been
provided.

Example:
knee = a joint in your leg
Set 1
1.

t  = you have one on each hand

2.

l  = two parts of your mouth

3.

g  = your teeth grow in them

4.

e  = the middle part of your arm

5.

s  = the row of bones down the center of your back

6.
 w  = you put your watch round it
7.

n  = the small hollow place in the center of your stomach

8.

s  = the front part of your lower leg

9.

f  = the part of your face above your eyes

Select the appropriate antonym for the following adjectives:

Example:
Ignorant

 Knowledgeable

 Open-minded

 Uninterested

SET 1 SET 2 SET 3

1. ADVNTUROUS is 4. PROUD is the 7. QUIET is the
the opposite of opposite of opposite of
-- please select -- -- please select -- -- please select --

2. CURIOUS is the 5. MODEST is the 8. POLITE is the

opposite of opposite of opposite of
-- please select -- -- please select -- -- please select --

3. ATTENTIVE is the 6. LAX is the 9. PEACEFUL is the

opposite of opposite of opposite of
-- please select -- -- please select -- -- please select --

Read the definition of the words and choose the best answer.

Example:
 - characterized by or displaying affirmation, acceptance or certainty

 positive
 terrible
 stupid
Set 1
1.
-- please select --
aroused to impatience or anger = 
2.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd
-- please select --
or even a bit weird = 

3.
have the skills and qualifications to do things well
-- please select --
= 

4.
-- please select --
mentally quick and resourceful 
5.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
-- please select --
= 
6.
feeling shame or guilt, embarrassment or remorse
-- please select --
= 
7.
offensively self-assured exercising unwarranted power on people
-- please select --
= 
8.
not keeping the pace with the current fashion tendencies, not
-- please select --
actual = 
9.
-- please select --
being happy, cheerful and lively = 

Match the two columns to make compound adjectives.

 Set 1

SET 1

good - aged

open - built

kind - hearted

stocky - minded

middle - looking

well - haired

round - race

long - legged
mixed - faced
red - dressed

Magazines often publish questionnaires which are supposed to analyze

aspects of your personality. Look at the words below and the questions. For
each question, type the personality word.

Example:

 Are you good at learning and understanding things? If yes, you

are clever
pessimistic; argumentative; sensitive; sociable; extravagant; assertive; inquisitive;
clever; bossy; arrogant
Set 1
1.
Do you prefer to be in the company of other people? If yes, you
are  .
2.
Do you usually think that „the glass is half empty”? If yes, you
are  .
3.
Do you find it easy to tell your boss unpleasant truths? If yes, you
are  .
4.
Do you always look out of the window if you hear a car draw up?
If yes, you are  .
5.
Do you often buy your friends presents for no particular reason?
If yes, you are  .
6.
Do you frequently disagree with what other people say? If yes,
you are  .
7.
Do you lie awake at night if someone has said something unkind
to you? If yes, you are  .
8.
Do you think you are better or more important than other people?
If yes, you are  .
9.
Do you always tell other people what to do? If yes, you are 
hristmas, the big Christian feast day, is still the most important festival of the year,
although England today is a multi-cultural and multi-religious country.  Would you
like to know more about Christmas in England? You are kindly invited to read the
following text.

Before Christmas
   Christmas is the biggest festival in the English year. Once the festival lasted two
days, today it seems to last almost two months. Christmas Day, December 25th, is 
the day when most people in Britain sit down to a special meal of roast turkey and
Christmas pudding; but Christmas Day is just the high point of the "Christmas
period".
    In the weeks before Christmas, life is very busy. There are parties; there
are trips to the cinema or the pantomime; and of course there's all the shopping. On
Christmas day, Britain closes! For most people, Christmas is a time to relax  at
last  after many long and busy weeks. The presents have been bought and sent,
dozens of cards have been sent and received, the food is waiting to be eaten. For
two days at least (if not three or four, depending on the year), the shops will be
shut, and the postman will not deliver any letters. For a day or two, even the
trains stop running. 
     Nowadays, Britain's Christmas shopping season lasts almost four months! The
first  Christmas catalogues come through letter-boxes at the start of
September! Lots of busy people like shopping online, because it is easy. All they
have to do is choose from the pages of a colourful catalogue, or use the Internet. A
few days later, goods are delivered to the door..... or at least one hopes they are.
Some Internet shops work 24/24 in the weeks before Christmas, to make sure that
everyone gets their presents on time..
    Many Christmas catalogues come from charities. Each charity has its own
specialities – nature and animals from WWF, the RSPCA and others; "green"
products from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth; and hand-made articles from
developing countries from charities like Oxfam and Save the Children. Big charities
like these earn a lot of money from their Christmas catalogues. In the streets,
Christmas arrives at the start of November. Santa Claus and Christmas decorations
start appearing in shop windows soon after "Guy Fawkes Night" (5th November).
There are no other festivities between Guy Fawkes Night and Christmas
    In the streets, vendors sell Father Christmas hats, and reindeer horns! Many
shops need extra staff; some shops sell as much in November and December as they
do in the other 10 months of the year. Shops stay open later in the evening, and on
Sundays too.
    During December, sometimes even earlier, the Christmas lights come on in the
streets, and the big shops put on special "Christmas windows", to bring in the
shoppers. As Christmas gets closer, the shops become more and more crowded.
Nowadays, many shops start their "New Year Sales" before Christmas; some people
therefore wait till the last days, in order to pay less for their presents.

Christmas time
When the shops finally close for the holiday, most people are happy that the
shopping is over. For a day at least, everything is shut... except pubs and
restaurants, which do a lot of business on Christmas day. On Christmas morning,
some people go to church in the morning, others stay at home to open presents and
prepare the Christmas lunch. 
    In the afternoon, it's time for more presents, or to watch a good film, or go out
for a walk in the country, or in the park.
    Then, after Christmas, the shopping season starts again, as people spend their
Christmas money and look for bargains in the New Year sales. 
    Most people have a week's holiday between Christmas and the New Year. Some,
of course, have to keep working; but for most, the last week of the year is a time to
relax, enjoy more parties, and do a bit more shopping.
    January sometimes seems very flat and empty!
 
1. What do British people typically eat at Christmas?

a. pork jelly and minced meat in cabbage rolls

b. roast turkey and Christmas pudding

c. grilled turkey and chocolate cakes

2. Why is Christmas a good time for many big charities?

a. It is a good time to feel compassionate about homeless.

b. People spend a lot more money on Christmas presents.

c. It’s the period of the year when people are more generous.
3. What do British people usually do on Christmas day?

a. They attend the religious service or have a Christmas meal.

b. They go to malls and spend their Christmas money on shopping.

c. They start looking for presents or go out to watch a film with their friends.
4. How long does Christmas holiday last for many British people?

a. A few people have just the Christmas days off from work.

b. The majority have a week's holiday until the end of the year.

c. Most people have a week off duty until Christmas.

5. What do the British do during their Christmas holiday period?

a. A large number of people go to work, while some take a break.

b. A large number of people enjoy parties with friends.

c. A large number of people have fun, spend more money on things, or just loosen
up.

At times, military personnel participating in combat missions are forced to

face the enemy. The following texts are parts of a report that gives details
about a real ambush. Read the texts and choose the correct words to
complete them.
-- please select --
The machine gun servant from the first APC   two insurgents
-- please select --
who   behind a wall of a dilapidated building. The
-- please select --
observer   the attack warning to the entire patrol by radio.
 
-- please select -- -- please select --
* The team   immediately and   the enemy.
-- please select --
Unfortunately, a bus with around 20 civilian passengers   by at
-- please select --
that moment, so the civilians   in danger to be hurt by the
crossing fire.
 
-- please select --
* As for the casualties , we   any further information regarding
wounded or killed civilians or insurgents. When the patrol
-- please select --
members   at the base, the battalion
-- please select --
commander   for us to congratulate all of them.

Being a military person involves participation in all sorts of missions, be

they combat or not. The following informal letter has been written by a
Romanian officer and refers to the pre-mission preparations, as well as the
mission itself. Read the letter and answer the questions.
“Dear John,
            The last mission that I participated in took place in the north of Poland, near
Kaliningrad Enclave. The main objective of this mission was to prevent the enemy
from starting a conflict in our area of responsibility. My company`s purpose was to
support the American troops by defending the aerial space. Next I’ll tell you about
the mission preparations followed by a quick review of the activities.
            The participation in this mission was not mandatory like in other foreign
countries ,so every military person who expressed their desire to attend the mission
had to write a special report to our battalion commander. Every soldier had to go
through a selection process which consisted of many phases. Firstly, passing the
medical test was mandatory in order to be able to proceed with the next phases.
Next, we took the following tests: the psychological, physical, and last but not least,
the specific  military  tests. The selection process usually lasts one month, but this
time it had to be prolonged for two more weeks because we were short on men.
After the selection process came to an end, my company and I started an intensive
training phase which included many practical exercises in the field, so as to adapt
the soldiers to a real combat situation. As part of the training, we practiced shooting
to improve our marksmanship skills.
            Being part of ADVON, three subordinates and I left four days earlier to set
up the motor pool and to prepare the accommodation for our colleagues. We drove
to Poland with our unit`s NTV. Although the journey was quite long and boring, when
we got there, the Polish soldiers had already prepared a place for us to rest. We
were also impressed by the accommodation and how clean the unit was. Even
though it was the first week, we were involved in an important exercise called "Bull
Run" in which we had to take all our equipment and go out in the field. This was
followed by a four- month phase during which we travelled from city to city to
present our equipment. In addition to that, every week we had shooting sessions.
The mission ended with the important event of authority transfer to the other
company which followed to take over our responsibilities. We were transported back
home by a military plane, so we arrived quite fast.
            I am really proud and pleased at the same time that I took part in this
mission because I have learnt a lot of new and interesting things and have made
many friends. What`s more, I realised the importance of interoperability for mission
accomplishment.”
QUESTION 1
1. The company’s objective was to

a. secure the American AOR

b. assist the Polish troops

c. safeguard the airspace

2. The length of the selection process was

a. one month

b. one and a half month

c. two weeks
3. During the mission in Poland, the Romanian company

a. did field training and had shooting practice

b. was involved in an exercise and presented the equipment

c. both of the above