Olympic stadium almost finished!

Construction work on London's Olympic Stadium has finished and it's almost ready to go!

International inspectors laid the last piece of turf on the field of the stadium, just under three years after building work began.

Inspectors will now begin a check-up of preparations for the London 2012 Games.

But it's not completely finished and ready for action yet... there are 700 rooms inside the venue which still need some final touches.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "We wouldn't want anyone to run away with the idea that this stadium is ready to stage an Olympic track and field championship tomorrow."

He added: "With one year and a few months to go, this is a great place to be."

The surface of the running track will be laid later this year at the stadium, which is to be taken over by West Ham football club once the Games are over.

This is so the track is not damaged by cranes which may have to be used to install equipment for the Games and its ceremonies.

True or false?

1. All the grass in the stadium has been put in place.
2. Building work on the stadium began over three years ago.
3. Lord Coe said that he didn’t want people to run at the stadium.
4. The running track has not been completed yet.
5. No one knows what to do with the stadium once the Olympics are over.
6. The stadium will be used for track and field events.
7. Lord Coe is chairman of the 2012 Olympics.
8. The track has been damaged by cranes.

Match the words below to their definitions

ceremonies / construction / cranes / inspectors / stage / surface / turf

when you work to build something
people whose job it is to officially examine something
ground with grass on it
organize an event
top layer of a field or track on which sports are played
tall metal structure used for lifting heavy objects
formal acts done on important occasions

What is the missing word?

1. This stadium is ready to stage an Olympic track and field ______ .
2. The surface of the running track will be ___________ later this year.
3. There are 700 rooms inside the ___________ .
4. Inspectors will now begin a check-up of ___________ .

KEY

True or false?

1. True
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. False

Vocabulary

construction when you work to build something
inspectors people whose job it is to officially examine something
turf ground with grass on it
stage organize an event
surface top layer of a field or track on which sports are played
cranes tall metal structure used for lifting heavy objects
ceremonies formal acts done on important occasions

What’s the missing word

Championship
Laid
Venue
Preparations

Olympic stadium almost finished!

Construction work on London's Olympic Stadium has finished and it's almost ready to go!

International inspectors laid the last piece of turf on the field of the stadium, just under three years after building work began.

Inspectors will now begin a check-up of preparations for the London 2012 Games.

But it's not completely finished and ready for action yet... there are 700 rooms inside the venue which still need some final touches.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "We wouldn't want anyone to run away with the idea that this stadium is ready to stage an Olympic track and field championship tomorrow."

He added: "With one year and a few months to go, this is a great place to be."

The surface of the running track will be laid later this year at the stadium, which is to be taken over by West Ham football club once the Games are over.

This is so the track is not damaged by cranes which may have to be used to install equipment for the Games and its ceremonies.

True or false?

1. All the grass in the stadium has been put in place.
2. Building work on the stadium began over three years ago.
3. Lord Coe said that he didn’t want people to run at the stadium.
4. The running track has not been completed yet.
5. No one knows what to do with the stadium once the Olympics are over.
6. The stadium will be used for track and field events.
7. Lord Coe is chairman of the 2012 Olympics.
8. The track has been damaged by cranes.

Match the words below to their definitions

ceremonies / construction / cranes / inspectors / stage / surface / turf

when you work to build something
people whose job it is to officially examine something
ground with grass on it
organize an event
top layer of a field or track on which sports are played
tall metal structure used for lifting heavy objects
formal acts done on important occasions

What is the missing word?

1. This stadium is ready to stage an Olympic track and field ______ .
2. The surface of the running track will be ___________ later this year.
3. There are 700 rooms inside the ___________ .
4. Inspectors will now begin a check-up of ___________ .

KEY

True or false?

1. True
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. False

Vocabulary

construction when you work to build something
inspectors people whose job it is to officially examine something
turf ground with grass on it
stage organize an event
surface top layer of a field or track on which sports are played
cranes tall metal structure used for lifting heavy objects
ceremonies formal acts done on important occasions

What’s the missing word

Championship
Laid
Venue
Preparations

16 lambs found inside two cars

Sixteen lambs have been discovered by police crammed inside two cars on a motorway.

The vehicles were stopped by cops on the M5 near Oldbury in the West Midlands in the middle of the night.

Some of the animals were on the backseat, while others had been put inside the boot.

The lambs are now being cared for by a nearby farmer, before they get reunited with their owner in Gloucestershire.

Six men have been arrested.

Match the words below to their definitions

arrested / boot / cops / crammed / discovered / reunited

found
force a lot of things into a small space
name in the UK for covered space at the back of a car
brought together again
taken away by the police to be questioned about a crime
policemen or policewomen

True or false?

1. The lambs were discovered in the morning.
2. The lambs will be returned to their owner.
3. All of the lambs were on the back seats of the cars.
4. The lambs were stolen.
5. The owner of the lambs was arrested.
6. Oldbury is in Gloustershire.
7. The cars were parked when they were found.
8. The lambs were wearing boots.

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
motorway
a) the same as driveway
b) the same as highway
c) the same as underway
animals
a) the same as animators
b) the same as creatures
c) the same as minerals
cared for
a) the same as transported
b) the same as concerned about
c) the same as looked after
nearby
a) the same as local
b) the same as underneath
c) the same as above




KEY
Vocabulary

discovered found
crammed force a lot of things into a small space
boot name in the UK for covered space at the back of a car
reunited brought together again
arrested taken away by the police to be questioned about a crime
cops policemen or policewomen

True or false?

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. False
8. False

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?

1.b) the same as highway
2.b) the same as creatures
3.c) the same as looked after
4.a) the same as local

16 lambs found inside two cars

Sixteen lambs have been discovered by police crammed inside two cars on a motorway.

The vehicles were stopped by cops on the M5 near Oldbury in the West Midlands in the middle of the night.

Some of the animals were on the backseat, while others had been put inside the boot.

The lambs are now being cared for by a nearby farmer, before they get reunited with their owner in Gloucestershire.

Six men have been arrested.

Match the words below to their definitions

arrested / boot / cops / crammed / discovered / reunited

found
force a lot of things into a small space
name in the UK for covered space at the back of a car
brought together again
taken away by the police to be questioned about a crime
policemen or policewomen

True or false?

1. The lambs were discovered in the morning.
2. The lambs will be returned to their owner.
3. All of the lambs were on the back seats of the cars.
4. The lambs were stolen.
5. The owner of the lambs was arrested.
6. Oldbury is in Gloustershire.
7. The cars were parked when they were found.
8. The lambs were wearing boots.

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
motorway
a) the same as driveway
b) the same as highway
c) the same as underway
animals
a) the same as animators
b) the same as creatures
c) the same as minerals
cared for
a) the same as transported
b) the same as concerned about
c) the same as looked after
nearby
a) the same as local
b) the same as underneath
c) the same as above




KEY
Vocabulary

discovered found
crammed force a lot of things into a small space
boot name in the UK for covered space at the back of a car
reunited brought together again
arrested taken away by the police to be questioned about a crime
cops policemen or policewomen

True or false?

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. False
8. False

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?

1.b) the same as highway
2.b) the same as creatures
3.c) the same as looked after
4.a) the same as local

More wild fires raging across UK

Firefighters across the UK are tackling MORE big countryside fires brought on by the hot weather.

Blazes are burning in Berkshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Highlands of Scotland and County Down, Tyrone and Armagh in Northern Ireland.

It's been the hottest April on record and there's only been half the normal amount of rain so it's easy for fires to start and spread.

Prime Minister David Cameron has praised the work of the firefighters.

Police are warning they will arrest anyone suspected of deliberately starting a fire after some teenagers were seen starting fresh fires at Swinley Forest near Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Experts in Northern Ireland say that many of the fires have been started on purpose.

There are about 60 firefighters at a massive moor fire near Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire and in North Yorkshire a fire is threatening an industrial estate on the outskirts of Thirsk.

Nine crews are at a fire near Belmont, near Bolton in Lancashire, and two engines are at another moor fire near Ormskirk. A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are hoping it rains, as the land is so dry."

A large area of heather and gorse was on fire on the Balmoral Estate, the Royal Family's home in Scotland.

Fires in the wild can be caused by sunlight shining through bottles or glass and causing a spark or by cigarettes that aren't put out properly.

Match the words below to their definitions

blaze / estate / gorse / moor / on purpose / outskirts / suspected / threatening

large and intense fire
when it is thought something is true or probable
intentionally or deliberately
likely to cause harm or damage
group of houses or factories built in a planned way
areas at the edge of a town or city
open area of hills covered with rough grass
type of bush with thorns and small yellow flowers

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. The wild fires are limited to England.
2. No buildings are at risk from the fires.
3. Balmoral Estate in located in Lancashire.
4. The fires near Crowthorne may have been started by teenagers.
5. This April has been the hottest since people started keeping records.
6. A moor fire is burning near Thirsk.
7. Wildfires can be started by sunlight shining on grass.
8. The police have already arrested people for starting the fires.

What is the missing word?

1. There are about 60 firefighters at a______________moor fire near Mytholmroyd.
2. Some______________were seen starting fresh fires.
3. A large area of_______________and gorse was on fire.
4. David Cameron has________________the work of the firefighters.



KEY
Vocabulary

blaze large and intense fire
suspected when it is thought something is true or probable
on purpose intentionally or deliberately
threatening likely to cause harm or damage
estate group of houses or factories built in a planned way
outskirts areas at the edge of a town or city
moor open area of hills covered with rough grass
gorse type of bush with thorns and small yellow flowers

TRUE or FALSE?

1. False
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. False

What is the missing word?

1. massive
2. teenagers
3. heather
4. praised

More wild fires raging across UK

Firefighters across the UK are tackling MORE big countryside fires brought on by the hot weather.

Blazes are burning in Berkshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Highlands of Scotland and County Down, Tyrone and Armagh in Northern Ireland.

It's been the hottest April on record and there's only been half the normal amount of rain so it's easy for fires to start and spread.

Prime Minister David Cameron has praised the work of the firefighters.

Police are warning they will arrest anyone suspected of deliberately starting a fire after some teenagers were seen starting fresh fires at Swinley Forest near Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Experts in Northern Ireland say that many of the fires have been started on purpose.

There are about 60 firefighters at a massive moor fire near Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire and in North Yorkshire a fire is threatening an industrial estate on the outskirts of Thirsk.

Nine crews are at a fire near Belmont, near Bolton in Lancashire, and two engines are at another moor fire near Ormskirk. A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are hoping it rains, as the land is so dry."

A large area of heather and gorse was on fire on the Balmoral Estate, the Royal Family's home in Scotland.

Fires in the wild can be caused by sunlight shining through bottles or glass and causing a spark or by cigarettes that aren't put out properly.

Match the words below to their definitions

blaze / estate / gorse / moor / on purpose / outskirts / suspected / threatening

large and intense fire
when it is thought something is true or probable
intentionally or deliberately
likely to cause harm or damage
group of houses or factories built in a planned way
areas at the edge of a town or city
open area of hills covered with rough grass
type of bush with thorns and small yellow flowers

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. The wild fires are limited to England.
2. No buildings are at risk from the fires.
3. Balmoral Estate in located in Lancashire.
4. The fires near Crowthorne may have been started by teenagers.
5. This April has been the hottest since people started keeping records.
6. A moor fire is burning near Thirsk.
7. Wildfires can be started by sunlight shining on grass.
8. The police have already arrested people for starting the fires.

What is the missing word?

1. There are about 60 firefighters at a______________moor fire near Mytholmroyd.
2. Some______________were seen starting fresh fires.
3. A large area of_______________and gorse was on fire.
4. David Cameron has________________the work of the firefighters.



KEY
Vocabulary

blaze large and intense fire
suspected when it is thought something is true or probable
on purpose intentionally or deliberately
threatening likely to cause harm or damage
estate group of houses or factories built in a planned way
outskirts areas at the edge of a town or city
moor open area of hills covered with rough grass
gorse type of bush with thorns and small yellow flowers

TRUE or FALSE?

1. False
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. False

What is the missing word?

1. massive
2. teenagers
3. heather
4. praised

Three-legged sheepdog wins prize

A sheepdog with three legs has won a competition for best farm dog in England and Wales.

Jack lost his leg after a serious injury last year, but made an amazing recovery and still works on his owner's farm in North Wales.

The Rees family sent in a photo of Jack and explained why he should be named top dog in the competition.

Judges at the National Farmers Union said they were impressed by Jack's battle against hardship.

One judge said: "This is a dog who has certainly seen his fair share of adversity following his accident last year but who has bounced back to his hard-working, irreplaceable best."


Try our dogs quiz

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1650000/newsid_1654100/1654175.stm

Match the words below to their definitions

adversity / competition / hardship / impressed / injury /irreplaceable

event where people try to win a prize by being the best at something
damage to your body
admired or respected someone because of what they did
when life is difficult or unpleasant
difficult or unlucky situation
when something cannot be replaced because it is too special, valuable or unusual

True or false?

1. Jack is the best farm dog in Scotland.
2. The Rees family lives in North Wales.
3. Jack does not work on the farm any more.
4. The Rees family owns Jack.
5. No one knew why Jack should be named best farm dog.
6. Jack has not recovered from his injury.
7. The competition was run by the National Farmers Union.
8. Jack lost his leg the previous year.

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. serious
a) the same as slight
b) the same as bad
c) the same as deep
2. battle
a) the same as strike
b) the same as worry
c) the same as fight
3. explained
a) the same as excluded
b) the same as gave reasons
c) the same as wondered
4. named
a) the same as renamed
b) the same as called
c) the same as chosen


KEY

Vocabulary

competition event where people try to win a prize by being the best at something
injury damage to your body
impressed admired or respected someone because of what they did
hardship when life is difficult or unpleasant
adversity difficult or unlucky situation
irreplaceable when something cannot be replaced because it is too special, valuable or unusual

True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. True
8. True

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
b) the same as bad
c) the same as fight
b) the same as gave reasons
c) the same as chosen

Three-legged sheepdog wins prize

A sheepdog with three legs has won a competition for best farm dog in England and Wales.

Jack lost his leg after a serious injury last year, but made an amazing recovery and still works on his owner's farm in North Wales.

The Rees family sent in a photo of Jack and explained why he should be named top dog in the competition.

Judges at the National Farmers Union said they were impressed by Jack's battle against hardship.

One judge said: "This is a dog who has certainly seen his fair share of adversity following his accident last year but who has bounced back to his hard-working, irreplaceable best."


Try our dogs quiz

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1650000/newsid_1654100/1654175.stm

Match the words below to their definitions

adversity / competition / hardship / impressed / injury /irreplaceable

event where people try to win a prize by being the best at something
damage to your body
admired or respected someone because of what they did
when life is difficult or unpleasant
difficult or unlucky situation
when something cannot be replaced because it is too special, valuable or unusual

True or false?

1. Jack is the best farm dog in Scotland.
2. The Rees family lives in North Wales.
3. Jack does not work on the farm any more.
4. The Rees family owns Jack.
5. No one knew why Jack should be named best farm dog.
6. Jack has not recovered from his injury.
7. The competition was run by the National Farmers Union.
8. Jack lost his leg the previous year.

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. serious
a) the same as slight
b) the same as bad
c) the same as deep
2. battle
a) the same as strike
b) the same as worry
c) the same as fight
3. explained
a) the same as excluded
b) the same as gave reasons
c) the same as wondered
4. named
a) the same as renamed
b) the same as called
c) the same as chosen


KEY

Vocabulary

competition event where people try to win a prize by being the best at something
injury damage to your body
impressed admired or respected someone because of what they did
hardship when life is difficult or unpleasant
adversity difficult or unlucky situation
irreplaceable when something cannot be replaced because it is too special, valuable or unusual

True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. True
8. True

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
b) the same as bad
c) the same as fight
b) the same as gave reasons
c) the same as chosen

X Factor: Simon quits as UK judge

Simon Cowell won't be returning as a weekly judge on the new series of The X Factor. There have been loads of rumours about his role because he's busy launching the show in America.
ITV said it's looking at ways for Simon to appear later on in the series - and we're told he will continue to have an "enormous presence" backstage. "We have known for some time that Simon's on-screen presence would be less this year," an ITV spokesman said. "That is something we are completely comfortable with."
There's no word yet on the other judges Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh, and Cheryl Cole - who has been rumoured to be in the running for a job on The X Factor USA.
Meanwhile, Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday without Simon Cowell on the panel.
The ratings were down compared to the first episode of previous series, but Simon's due to return as a judge for the live shows.

Match the words below to their definitions

enormous / episode / in the running / kicked off / presence / role / rumours / series

number of related events or things, one following another
position or purpose that someone or something has
pieces of news that might be true or invented
very large
when someone is involved in something
having a reasonable chance of winning
started
one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on the television or radio

True or false?

1. ITV is concerned that Cowell is not returning.
2. There is going to be series of The X Factor in America.
3. Cowell’s departure from The X Factor came as a surprise.
4. None of the other judges have confirmed that they are returning.
5. Cowell was a judge on Britain’s Got Talent in the past.
6. Cheryl Cole may get a job on television in the USA.
7. Simon Cowell will not have anything more to do with The X Factor.
8. The X Factor appears on ITV.

What is the missing word?

1. He's busy __________ the show in America.
2. That is something we are completely __________ with.
3. Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday without Simon Cowell on the ____________ .
4. The __________ were down compared to the first episode of previous series.




KEY

Vocabulary
series number of related events or things, one following another
role position or purpose that someone or something has
rumours pieces of news that might be true or invented
enormous very large
presence when someone is involved in something
in the running having a reasonable chance of winning
kicked off started
episode one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on the television or radio

True or false?

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. True

What is the missing word?

1. He's busy launching the show in America.
2. That is something we are completely comfortable with.
3. Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday without Simon Cowell on the panel.
4. The ratings were down compared to the first episode of previous series.

X Factor: Simon quits as UK judge

Simon Cowell won't be returning as a weekly judge on the new series of The X Factor. There have been loads of rumours about his role because he's busy launching the show in America.
ITV said it's looking at ways for Simon to appear later on in the series - and we're told he will continue to have an "enormous presence" backstage. "We have known for some time that Simon's on-screen presence would be less this year," an ITV spokesman said. "That is something we are completely comfortable with."
There's no word yet on the other judges Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh, and Cheryl Cole - who has been rumoured to be in the running for a job on The X Factor USA.
Meanwhile, Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday without Simon Cowell on the panel.
The ratings were down compared to the first episode of previous series, but Simon's due to return as a judge for the live shows.

Match the words below to their definitions

enormous / episode / in the running / kicked off / presence / role / rumours / series

number of related events or things, one following another
position or purpose that someone or something has
pieces of news that might be true or invented
very large
when someone is involved in something
having a reasonable chance of winning
started
one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on the television or radio

True or false?

1. ITV is concerned that Cowell is not returning.
2. There is going to be series of The X Factor in America.
3. Cowell’s departure from The X Factor came as a surprise.
4. None of the other judges have confirmed that they are returning.
5. Cowell was a judge on Britain’s Got Talent in the past.
6. Cheryl Cole may get a job on television in the USA.
7. Simon Cowell will not have anything more to do with The X Factor.
8. The X Factor appears on ITV.

What is the missing word?

1. He's busy __________ the show in America.
2. That is something we are completely __________ with.
3. Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday without Simon Cowell on the ____________ .
4. The __________ were down compared to the first episode of previous series.




KEY

Vocabulary
series number of related events or things, one following another
role position or purpose that someone or something has
rumours pieces of news that might be true or invented
enormous very large
presence when someone is involved in something
in the running having a reasonable chance of winning
kicked off started
episode one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on the television or radio

True or false?

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. True

What is the missing word?

1. He's busy launching the show in America.
2. That is something we are completely comfortable with.
3. Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday without Simon Cowell on the panel.
4. The ratings were down compared to the first episode of previous series.

New York cabbie picks up $5,000 fare to California

New York taxi driver Mohammed Alam has picked up the fare of a lifetime - $5,000 (£3,000) to drive across the US to Los Angeles. He got a shock when he was asked to drive the two friends. Investment banker John Belitsky and friend Dan Wuebben wanted to do something "magical".
They decided on a cab ride to LA and struck the deal with Mr Alam after finding him at LaGuardia Airport.
The 2,448-mile trip took six days and included a stop in Las Vegas where the friends won $2,000. On 22 April, after their winning streak in Las Vegas, he tweeted: "Woke up Alam to a shower of $100 bills at sunrise."
Mr Belitsky, of Leonia, New Jersey, and Mr Wuebben, of Queens, New York, haven't yet said how they intend to get back to the East Coast. But Mr Alam says a mate will help him make the drive back home from their destination.
New York news blog NYU Local estimated that the trip would have cost $17,000 (£10,000) if the meter had been running for the whole trip.

Match the words below to their definitions

destination / trip / magical / mate / meter /shock

emotional reaction to something you don’t expect
the act of travelling from one place to another one
friend
special and exciting
place that you are going to
device that measures the amount of something

True or false?
1. Los Angeles is near to New York.
2. The trip cost less than if it has been on the meter.
3. You can drive from New York to Los Angeles in less than a week.
4. John and Dan were enemies.
5. John Belitsky works in a bank.
6. Dan Wuebben drove the taxi.
7. The meter was not running during the trip.
8. The journey actually cost ten thousand pounds.

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1.whole
a) the same as missing
b) the same as partial
c) the same as entire
2.asked
a) the same as requested
b) the same as told
c) the same as demanded
3.running
a) the same as walking
b) the same as turned on
c) the same as dripping



KEY

shock emotional reaction to something you don’t expect
journey the act of travelling from one place to another one
mate friend
magical special and exciting
destination place that you are going to
meter device that measures the amount of something

True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. False

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. c) the same as entire
2. a) the same as requested
3. b) the same as turned on

New York cabbie picks up $5,000 fare to California

New York taxi driver Mohammed Alam has picked up the fare of a lifetime - $5,000 (£3,000) to drive across the US to Los Angeles. He got a shock when he was asked to drive the two friends. Investment banker John Belitsky and friend Dan Wuebben wanted to do something "magical".
They decided on a cab ride to LA and struck the deal with Mr Alam after finding him at LaGuardia Airport.
The 2,448-mile trip took six days and included a stop in Las Vegas where the friends won $2,000. On 22 April, after their winning streak in Las Vegas, he tweeted: "Woke up Alam to a shower of $100 bills at sunrise."
Mr Belitsky, of Leonia, New Jersey, and Mr Wuebben, of Queens, New York, haven't yet said how they intend to get back to the East Coast. But Mr Alam says a mate will help him make the drive back home from their destination.
New York news blog NYU Local estimated that the trip would have cost $17,000 (£10,000) if the meter had been running for the whole trip.

Match the words below to their definitions

destination / trip / magical / mate / meter /shock

emotional reaction to something you don’t expect
the act of travelling from one place to another one
friend
special and exciting
place that you are going to
device that measures the amount of something

True or false?
1. Los Angeles is near to New York.
2. The trip cost less than if it has been on the meter.
3. You can drive from New York to Los Angeles in less than a week.
4. John and Dan were enemies.
5. John Belitsky works in a bank.
6. Dan Wuebben drove the taxi.
7. The meter was not running during the trip.
8. The journey actually cost ten thousand pounds.

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1.whole
a) the same as missing
b) the same as partial
c) the same as entire
2.asked
a) the same as requested
b) the same as told
c) the same as demanded
3.running
a) the same as walking
b) the same as turned on
c) the same as dripping



KEY

shock emotional reaction to something you don’t expect
journey the act of travelling from one place to another one
mate friend
magical special and exciting
destination place that you are going to
meter device that measures the amount of something

True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. False

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. c) the same as entire
2. a) the same as requested
3. b) the same as turned on

SIGNS

Signs

View more documents from selfaccessgroup.

SIGNS

Signs

View more documents from selfaccessgroup.

Kids banned from using sunbeds

Children and teenagers across England and Wales have been banned from using sun-beds. The new law will stop under 18s from getting a tan on the beds in places like gyms and salons. And the punishment for breaking the rules is pretty big - tanning shops could be fined £20,000 if they're caught letting kids use the beds. A leading health charity says the new law will help protect children from developing skin cancer in later life. The law was passed last year but it comes into force today.

True or false?
1. A sunbed can give you a tan.
2. The new law will cure cancer.
3. The law came into force as soon as it was passed.
4. The ban applies to England, Ireland and Wales.
5. Once you are 18, you can use a sunbed.
6. Sunbeds can’t give you cancer once you turn 18.
7. Teenagers who get caught using a sunbed can be fined up to £20,000
8. There are shops where you can got to get a fake tan.

Match the words below to their definitions
banned / charity / gyms / in force / salons / tan
forbidden to do something
places where people go to exercise
shop selling beauty or fashion products or services
when your skin is brown from being in the sun
organisation which gives money or help to people in need
when something is in force, it is currently in use, as in “the following rules are in force”
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. leading a) the same as important b) the same as following c) the same as outspoken
2. passed a) the same as forgotten b) the same as approved c) the same as debated
3. pretty a) the same as petty b) the same as fairly c) the same as slightly
4. letting a) the same as releasing b) the same as opening c) the same as allowing

KEY
True or false?
1. True 2. False 3. False 4. False 5. True 6. False 7. False 8. True

Vocabulary
banned forbidden to do something
gyms places where people go to exercise
salons shop selling beauty or fashion products or services
tan when your skin is brown from being in the sun
charity organisation which gives money or help to people in need in
force when something is in force, it is currently in use, as in “the following rules are in force”

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics? a) the same as important b) the same as approved b) the same as fairly c) the same as allowing

Kids banned from using sunbeds

Children and teenagers across England and Wales have been banned from using sun-beds. The new law will stop under 18s from getting a tan on the beds in places like gyms and salons. And the punishment for breaking the rules is pretty big - tanning shops could be fined £20,000 if they're caught letting kids use the beds. A leading health charity says the new law will help protect children from developing skin cancer in later life. The law was passed last year but it comes into force today.

True or false?
1. A sunbed can give you a tan.
2. The new law will cure cancer.
3. The law came into force as soon as it was passed.
4. The ban applies to England, Ireland and Wales.
5. Once you are 18, you can use a sunbed.
6. Sunbeds can’t give you cancer once you turn 18.
7. Teenagers who get caught using a sunbed can be fined up to £20,000
8. There are shops where you can got to get a fake tan.

Match the words below to their definitions
banned / charity / gyms / in force / salons / tan
forbidden to do something
places where people go to exercise
shop selling beauty or fashion products or services
when your skin is brown from being in the sun
organisation which gives money or help to people in need
when something is in force, it is currently in use, as in “the following rules are in force”
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. leading a) the same as important b) the same as following c) the same as outspoken
2. passed a) the same as forgotten b) the same as approved c) the same as debated
3. pretty a) the same as petty b) the same as fairly c) the same as slightly
4. letting a) the same as releasing b) the same as opening c) the same as allowing

KEY
True or false?
1. True 2. False 3. False 4. False 5. True 6. False 7. False 8. True

Vocabulary
banned forbidden to do something
gyms places where people go to exercise
salons shop selling beauty or fashion products or services
tan when your skin is brown from being in the sun
charity organisation which gives money or help to people in need in
force when something is in force, it is currently in use, as in “the following rules are in force”

Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics? a) the same as important b) the same as approved b) the same as fairly c) the same as allowing

50 years since first man in space

Celebrations have been taking place in Russia to mark 50 years since the first man in space.

Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history on 12 April 1961, when he went where no man had gone before. A rocket blasted Gagarin into space, where he stayed for 108 minutes before returning safely to Earth - a hero.

To mark the anniversary, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held a video link-up with the International Space Station and an award ceremony.

Space race
At the time, it was a major victory for the Soviet Union in their space race against America. Before Gagarin's 1961 flight, no one knew whether humans could survive in space. Some people said the force of the take-off would crush his body. Others thought that being weightless would send him mad. He was fine.

Man on the moon
But the US hit back a few years later when Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, in 1969.

Nowadays, the Russians and Americans are no longer rivals and work together in space discovery.


Match the words below to their definitions

award / celebration / ceremony / mark / rivals / survive / victory

special, enjoyable event about something important
commemorate
formal act done on an important occasion
when you win something
continue to exist after being in a difficult situation
people competing against each other
prize given to someone for achieving something

True or False?

1. Dmitry Medvedev gave an award to Gagarin.
2. There were concerns that humans would die in space.
3. Weightlessness made Gagarin temporarily insane.
4. Gagarin was physically unaffected by his time in space.
5. Russians and Americans still compete in space.
6. Neil Armstrong landed on the moon after Gagarin did.
7. Gagarin stayed in space for over two hours.

What is the missing word?

1. A rocket __________ Gagarin into space.
2. Some people said the force of the take-off would _________ his body.
3. __________ , the Russians and Americans are no longer rivals.
4. Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made __________ on 12 April 1961.

KEY

Vocabulary

celebration special, enjoyable event about something important
mark commemorate
ceremony formal act done on an important occasion
victory when you win something
survive continue to exist after being in a difficult situation
rivals people competing against each other
award prize given to someone for achieving something

True or false?

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. False

What is the missing word?

1. blasted
2. crush
3. Nowadays
4. history

50 years since first man in space

Celebrations have been taking place in Russia to mark 50 years since the first man in space.

Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history on 12 April 1961, when he went where no man had gone before. A rocket blasted Gagarin into space, where he stayed for 108 minutes before returning safely to Earth - a hero.

To mark the anniversary, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held a video link-up with the International Space Station and an award ceremony.

Space race
At the time, it was a major victory for the Soviet Union in their space race against America. Before Gagarin's 1961 flight, no one knew whether humans could survive in space. Some people said the force of the take-off would crush his body. Others thought that being weightless would send him mad. He was fine.

Man on the moon
But the US hit back a few years later when Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, in 1969.

Nowadays, the Russians and Americans are no longer rivals and work together in space discovery.


Match the words below to their definitions

award / celebration / ceremony / mark / rivals / survive / victory

special, enjoyable event about something important
commemorate
formal act done on an important occasion
when you win something
continue to exist after being in a difficult situation
people competing against each other
prize given to someone for achieving something

True or False?

1. Dmitry Medvedev gave an award to Gagarin.
2. There were concerns that humans would die in space.
3. Weightlessness made Gagarin temporarily insane.
4. Gagarin was physically unaffected by his time in space.
5. Russians and Americans still compete in space.
6. Neil Armstrong landed on the moon after Gagarin did.
7. Gagarin stayed in space for over two hours.

What is the missing word?

1. A rocket __________ Gagarin into space.
2. Some people said the force of the take-off would _________ his body.
3. __________ , the Russians and Americans are no longer rivals.
4. Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made __________ on 12 April 1961.

KEY

Vocabulary

celebration special, enjoyable event about something important
mark commemorate
ceremony formal act done on an important occasion
victory when you win something
survive continue to exist after being in a difficult situation
rivals people competing against each other
award prize given to someone for achieving something

True or false?

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. False

What is the missing word?

1. blasted
2. crush
3. Nowadays
4. history

Hundreds stage pillow fight in central London

Tom Nizio had come equipped for a fight – with starry pyjama trousers on his legs and a pillow in his rucksack.
"I love this kind of fun," said Mr Nizio, 29, from Acton, west London, surveying the gathering crowd in Trafalgar Square yesterday. "I heard about it on Facebook, and just thought, I've got to have some of this."
Organised – sort of – in cities around the world, International Pillow Fight Day is the brainchild of Kevin Bracken and Lori Kufner, who, while students at Toronto University in Canada, founded the art group Newmindspace in 2005.
Participants had come to Trafalgar Square in their hundreds, in fluffy slippers, dressing gowns, skintight jumpsuits, elephant outfits and other liberal interpretations of the pyjama dress code.
The klaxon sounded. Trafalgar Square filled with about 200 participants swinging pillows and innumerable flying feathers.
All this, in front of smiling Police officers – despite an apparent lack of any official permission.
And money from the £5 "whack n' keep" souvenir pillows was going to raise funds for aid to the tsunami-struck areas of Japan.
Similar scenes were being re-enacted yesterday in about 130 locations, from Adelaide, Australia, to Zurich, Switzerland - via Chisinau, Moldova; Caracas, Venezuela; and Seoul, South Korea.

Vocabulary
Match each of the words to the correct sentence.
pillow pyjamas slippers dressing gown quilt
blanket sheets outfit sleeping bag
1 This covers your bed and keeps you warm in winter. It has feathers inside.
2 These are usually made of cotton and most people use two of them and sleep between them.
3 You put your head on this when you lie in bed.
4 This is normally made of wool and is thinner than a quilt. Some people put it between their top sheet and the quilt.
5 If you are going camping, you might put one of these inside your rucksack and take it with you.
6 Lots of people wear these on their feet when they are at home.
7 A set of clothes that you wear on a particular occasion, for example, a wedding.
8 These are trousers and a shirt and you wear them in bed.
9 You wear this over your pyjamas when you are at home. It’s like a coat.

In your own words
In Part 2 of the PAU test, you have to express information from the text in your own ways. To practise for this, complete these sentences about the text:

1 Tom Nizio was wearing pyjama trousers with ………………. on them and inside his …………………………… was ……………………….…………. .
2 Tom Nizio ………………………. to go to Trafalgar Square after finding out about the ……………………….. on Facebook.
3 Kavin Bracken and Lorl Kufner had the ………….. for this event while …………………….. studying at Toronto University, Canada.
4 Newmindspace has existed ……………………….. .
5 Some people taking part in the event were dressed up as ………………………. whereas others ……………………… nightwear.
………………………………………………………… .
6 Around ………………………. hit each other with pillows.
7 Pillows were being sold for …………………… and profits from the sales will be used to …………………………… victims of the Japanese tsunami.
8 As well as London, other Pillow Fights had been organised in approximately …………………………………………… cities.

Key

Vocabulary
1 quilt
2 sheets
3 pillow
4 blanket
5 sleeping bag
6 slippers
7 outfit
8 pyjamas
9 dressing gown
In your own words
1 stars, rucksack/backpack, a pillow
2 decided, event/Pillow Fight
3 idea, they were
4 since 2005
5 elephants, were wearing/had put on
6 two hundred people
7 £5 , help
8 130

Hundreds stage pillow fight in central London

Tom Nizio had come equipped for a fight – with starry pyjama trousers on his legs and a pillow in his rucksack.
"I love this kind of fun," said Mr Nizio, 29, from Acton, west London, surveying the gathering crowd in Trafalgar Square yesterday. "I heard about it on Facebook, and just thought, I've got to have some of this."
Organised – sort of – in cities around the world, International Pillow Fight Day is the brainchild of Kevin Bracken and Lori Kufner, who, while students at Toronto University in Canada, founded the art group Newmindspace in 2005.
Participants had come to Trafalgar Square in their hundreds, in fluffy slippers, dressing gowns, skintight jumpsuits, elephant outfits and other liberal interpretations of the pyjama dress code.
The klaxon sounded. Trafalgar Square filled with about 200 participants swinging pillows and innumerable flying feathers.
All this, in front of smiling Police officers – despite an apparent lack of any official permission.
And money from the £5 "whack n' keep" souvenir pillows was going to raise funds for aid to the tsunami-struck areas of Japan.
Similar scenes were being re-enacted yesterday in about 130 locations, from Adelaide, Australia, to Zurich, Switzerland - via Chisinau, Moldova; Caracas, Venezuela; and Seoul, South Korea.

Vocabulary
Match each of the words to the correct sentence.
pillow pyjamas slippers dressing gown quilt
blanket sheets outfit sleeping bag
1 This covers your bed and keeps you warm in winter. It has feathers inside.
2 These are usually made of cotton and most people use two of them and sleep between them.
3 You put your head on this when you lie in bed.
4 This is normally made of wool and is thinner than a quilt. Some people put it between their top sheet and the quilt.
5 If you are going camping, you might put one of these inside your rucksack and take it with you.
6 Lots of people wear these on their feet when they are at home.
7 A set of clothes that you wear on a particular occasion, for example, a wedding.
8 These are trousers and a shirt and you wear them in bed.
9 You wear this over your pyjamas when you are at home. It’s like a coat.

In your own words
In Part 2 of the PAU test, you have to express information from the text in your own ways. To practise for this, complete these sentences about the text:

1 Tom Nizio was wearing pyjama trousers with ………………. on them and inside his …………………………… was ……………………….…………. .
2 Tom Nizio ………………………. to go to Trafalgar Square after finding out about the ……………………….. on Facebook.
3 Kavin Bracken and Lorl Kufner had the ………….. for this event while …………………….. studying at Toronto University, Canada.
4 Newmindspace has existed ……………………….. .
5 Some people taking part in the event were dressed up as ………………………. whereas others ……………………… nightwear.
………………………………………………………… .
6 Around ………………………. hit each other with pillows.
7 Pillows were being sold for …………………… and profits from the sales will be used to …………………………… victims of the Japanese tsunami.
8 As well as London, other Pillow Fights had been organised in approximately …………………………………………… cities.

Key

Vocabulary
1 quilt
2 sheets
3 pillow
4 blanket
5 sleeping bag
6 slippers
7 outfit
8 pyjamas
9 dressing gown
In your own words
1 stars, rucksack/backpack, a pillow
2 decided, event/Pillow Fight
3 idea, they were
4 since 2005
5 elephants, were wearing/had put on
6 two hundred people
7 £5 , help
8 130