Now that his university course has (3)_____ to an end, Nigel is just about to leave on a three-year trip that will take him all around the world. What’s more, he plans to make the whole journey using only means of transport which are powered by natural energy.

The growth of population has its problems as we shall see. As there are more and more mouths (1)______ , there comes a great strain (2)______ the resources of a country; this is real in the case of developing countries with the result they are unable to push ahead economically. As food is not sufficient there is chronic malnutrition in these countries especially in women and children resulting in weaker population (3)______ would only economically be a drain on the country as their productive years will be short. As health and education are the State's (4)_____ , they affect the country's finances. So in developing countries health and illiteracy continue to be the problem. The unwieldy growth of population leads to the problem of housing and sanitation. In many countries the slums are a (5)______ to the eyes. Slums grow round big cities and are found with all the drawbacks. These are the areas of disease, filth and crime.

For Nigel Portman, a love of travelling began with what’s called a ‘gap year’. In common with many other British teenagers, he chose to take a year out before (1)_____ to study for his degree. After doing various jobs to raise some money, he left home to gain some experience of life in different cultures, visiting America and Asia. The more adventurous the young person, the (2)_____ the challenge they are likely to set themselves for the gap year, and for some, like Nigel, it can result in a thirst for adventure. Now that his university course has (3)_____ to an end, Nigel is just about to leave on a three-year trip that will take him all around the world. What’s more, he plans to make the whole journey using only means of transport which are powered by natural energy. In other words, he’ll be (4)_____ mostly on bicycles and his own legs; and when there’s an ocean to cross, he won’t be taking a short cut by climbing aboard a plane, he’ll be joining the crew of a
sailing ship instead. As well as doing some mountain climbing and other outdoor pursuits along the way, Nigel hopes to (5)_____ on to the people he meets the environmental message that lies behind the whole idea.

In many countries the slums are a (5)______ to the eyes. Slums grow round big cities and are found with all the drawbacks. These are the areas of disease, filth and crime.

As there are more and more mouths (1)______ , there comes a great strain (2)______ the resources of a country; this is real in the case of developing countries with the result they are unable to push ahead economically.

Many parents believe that they should begin to teach their children to read when they are (1)_____ more than toddlers. This is fine if the child shows a real interest but forcing a child could be counter- productive if she isn't ready. Wise parents will have a (2_____ attitude and take the lead from their child. What they should provide is a selection of stimulating toys, books and other activities. Nowadays there is plenty of good (3)_____ available for young children, and of course, seeing plenty of books in use about the house will also (4)______ them to read. Of course, books are no longer the only source of stories and information. There is also a huge range (5)______ videos, which can reinforce and extend the pleasure a child finds in a book and are equally valuable in helping to increase vocabulary and concentration. Television gets a bad review as far as children are concerned, mainly because too many spend too much time watching programmes not intended for their age group.

After doing various jobs to raise some money, he left home to gain some experience of life in different cultures, visiting America and Asia. The more adventurous the young person, the (2)_____ the challenge they are likely to set themselves for the gap year, and for some, like Nigel, it can result in a thirst for adventure.

As well as doing some mountain climbing and other outdoor pursuits along the way, Nigel hopes to (5)_____ on to the people he meets the environmental message that lies behind the whole idea.

As health and education are the State's (4)_____ , they affect the country's finances. So in developing countries health and illiteracy continue to be the problem. The unwieldy growth of population leads to the problem of housing and sanitation.

Probably the most famous film commenting on twentieth–century technology is Modem Times, (1)______ in 1936. Charlie Chaplin was motivated to make the film by a reporter who, while interviewing him, happened to describe working conditions in industrial Detroit. Chaplin was told that healthy young farm boys were lured to the city to work on automotive assembly lines. Within four or five years, these young men’s health was ruined by the stress of work in the factories. Scenes of factory interiors account for only about (2)_______ of the footage of Modern Times, but they contain some of the most pointed social commentary as well as the most comic situations. No one who has seen the film can ever forget Chaplin vainly trying to keep pace with the fast–moving conveyor belt, almost losing his mind in the process. Another popular scene involves an automatic feeding machine brought to the assembly line (3)______ workers need not interrupt their labor to eat. The feeding machine malfunctions, hurling food at Chaplin who is strapped into his position on the assembly line and cannot escape. This serves to illustrate people’s utter (4)______ in the face of machines that are meant to serve their basic needs. Clearly, Modern Times has its faults, but it remains the best film treating technology within a social context. It does not offer a radical social message, but it does (5)_______ reflect the sentiments of many who feel they are victims of an over–mechanized world.

Bonfire Night is (1)          all over Britain on November 5th. The festival dates from 1605 when a man called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. He was caught and hanged, (2)          the other conspirators. Preparations for Bonfire Night usually start weeks before the event itself .Children go from house to house (3)          old furniture, newspapers and anything else which will burn for their bonfires. They make a “guy”, a figure which (4)        Guy Fawkes, from an old sack and wheel it round the streets asking for money which they use to buy fireworks. On the day itself, as soon as it is dark, the guy is put on top of bonfire, which is then lit. Fireworks are set off and everyone enjoys the display as they stand round the fire (5)          warm and eating baked potatoes and hot dogs.

There are many arguments for and against TV. I think we must understand that TV in itself is neither good (5)______ bad. TV is as good or as bad as we make it.
(Source: Television and Advertisement www.nativeenglish.ru/topics/television-and-advertisement)

In other words, he’ll be (4)_____ mostly on bicycles and his own legs; and when there’s an ocean to cross, he won’t be taking a short cut by climbing aboard a plane, he’ll be joining the crew of a
sailing ship instead.

How men first learnt to creat words is unknown; in other words, the origin of language is a (1)______ . All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed (2)______ certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds, and which could be written down. These sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, are called words. Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words that appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can (3)______ his meaning in words which sing like music, and which by their position and association can (4)______ men to tears. We should, therefore, learn to choose our words carefully, (5)______ they will make our speech silly and vulgar.

This is fine if the child shows a real interest but forcing a child could be counter- productive if she isn't ready. Wise parents will have a (2_____ attitude and take the lead from their child. What they should provide is a selection of stimulating toys, books and other activities.

(4)______ here again there is a danger. We get to like watching TV so much that it begins to dominate our lives. A friend of mine told me that when his TV set broke he and his family suddenly found that they had much more time to do things. The most important thing which is really criticizing is poor quality of the programs and its harmful effect on children. For example the film
“Natural Born Killers” teaches children to kill and there was one accident in France when a group of teenagers kill their parents.