Monopoly
1. Some claim that the original version of the game Monopoly started around 1900, and that it was
developed as a way of explaining tax laws. The best-known version of the story, however, is that
it was invented in 1934 by a man named Charles B. Darrow from Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Darrow made the game himself and sold it on a small scale to friends and some small stores,
before it was taken over by the games company, Parker Brothers. At that time, the world was
going through a severe financial crisis, and the idea of becoming very rich – even in a game –
appealed to many.
2. The object of the game is to make as much money as possible. Players do this by buying up
‘properties’ as they go around the board. They can then choose to spend money developing these
3. properties with the purpose of charging a higher ‘rent’ to other players who land on them. Players
aim to own as many properties as possible so that they eventually make their opponents so poor
that they have to leave the game. The winner is either the player who owns so many properties
that the other players have to drop out or the player with the most money after an agreed time
limit.
4. Part of the fun of the game is enjoying seeing your opponents losing their money. This has led to a
certain amount of criticism, however. Some people point out that it is not healthy to encourage
young people to value money so highly. They also say that the game is based on unhealthy
competition and does not teach good moral values. Although a lot of people say that the game
helps develop useful skills for real life, some feel that it is unfair to make fun of people because
they become poor.
5. Despite the criticism, there is no doubt that the game has been extremely popular. The number of
games sold throughout its history is measured in the hundreds of millions. Several changes have
been made in the last 80 years and many updated versions have appeared in different countries.
One version, made with gold and silver pieces, sold for $25,000.
PART I
According to the information given in the text, write T (TRUE) or F (FALSE) in the space
provided below and correct the FALSE statements.
___ 1) Sales suffered because of the financial crisis.
___ 2) The original game had an educational purpose.
___ 3) Darrow bought the game from a small store.
___ 4) Players could win money in real life.
___ 5) The poorer your opponents get, the more are the properties you own
PART II
Look at the underlined words given below and write what they REFER to in the text.
many (para.1): ___________________________
they (para.2): ____________________________
its (para.4) : _____________________________
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PART III ) Find a suitable heading for each paragraph above and write the numbers of the
paragraphs in the gaps.
_____ A) Various Kinds
_____ B) In-Between
_____ C) Basic Principles and Instructions
_____ D) A New Way of Escaping From Poverty
PART IV
1) What does “opponent” (in para.2) mean ?
A) collegue
B) rival
C) helper
D) young people
2) What does “unfair” (para.3) mean?
A) honest
B) legal
D) shameful
C) right
3) Some people have criticized the game because it
A. takes too long to learn the rules.
B. is too close to real life.
C. needs too much skill.
D. encourages negative values.
4) Since Monopoly was introduced
A. it has remained popular despite the changes.
B. sales have gone down a lot.
C. it has become too expensive for most people.
D. the rules of the game have stayed the same.
PART V) Complete the notes below. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the
reading passage for each answer.
1) Monopoly was invented when the world was suffering from a ________________.
2) You can play the game until nobody is left or stop after a ________________ you agree on
before starting.
3) People enjoy watching other players ________________.
4) Although people have criticized Monopoly, the game is still ________________.
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Extreme sports
James: I’ve been really into surfing for more than fifteen years. I started learning in England,then I
began going on surfing holidays abroad with my mates – we went to Bali in Indonesia, and also South
Africa. After that I started wanting bigger challenges, so five years ago I decided to try the really big
waves in Hawaii. Of course they can be dangerous and you have to concentrate one hundred
percent, but it’s worth it for the thrill you get when you’re riding them. It’s a magical feeling, like
flying above the ocean, and for those few seconds you totally forget everything else in your life.
Susan: Part of me had always wanted to try skydiving, but I was really scared the first time. The worst
bit was just before I jumped out of the plane – I wanted to be back on the ground, not 4,000 metres
up in the air. Of course, as a beginner you don’t do it on your own – you’re attached to the instructor
who opens the parachute for you. Falling through the air at 180 kilometres per hour is a massive
adrenaline rush. That first time was five years ago, and since then I’ve done more than twenty solo
jumps.
Mike: Mountains offer a challenge I find impossible to ignore. I started climbing about twenty years
ago, and I’ve now climbed three of the highest five peaks in Europe. Of course it can be dangerous,
and I’ve had some scary moments, but the sense of achievement when you reach the top is amazing.
When you’re pulling yourself up that wall of rock it feels like you’re in a battle against nature – it’s
not a feeling you can get from anything in everyday life.
Teresa: I became hooked on snowboarding the very first time I tried it. I soon realized I had a natural
talent for it, and it wasn’t long before I was winning competitions and getting a bit of prize money.
My dream is to be able to make my living just from boarding, so I now take three months off work
every winter and concentrate on improving my technique. I’d recommend boarding to anyone. The
exhilaration of going down the mountain, plus the beauty of the scenery – it’s just fantastic.
***Four people are talking about their hobbies. Match their names with the suitable information
given below.
1) ......... plans to do it as a profession.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
2) .........thinks it makes you feel like a warrior.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
3)......... thinks that although it is an individual activity, you need an assistance initially.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
4)......... thinks it not only gives you excitement, but also keeps you happy with lovely views.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
5) ......... thinks it leads to a total isolation.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
6) ........ thinks excitement replaces fears in time.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
7) ........ thinks ”The higher the better”.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
8) ....... thinks anyone who is interested in it has to focus fully.
A) James
B) Suzan
C) Mike
D) Teresa
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The story of Coca-Cola
What is the most recognizable object in the world? Could it be a football? Or a Big-Mac? No, the
answer is a Coca-Cola bottle. The famous Coca-Cola bottle is almost 100 years old !
Coca-cola sign in Las VegasCoca-cola advertisement in Las Vegas Footballs and big macs are
certainly part of life for lots of people; but Coca-Cola is now a permanent part of world culture.
People know and drink Coca-Cola all over the world.
It is said that the Coca-Cola bottle is the most recognised object in the world. Hundreds of millions
of people can recognise a Coke bottle by its shape, even if they cannot see it! And the famous CocaCola logo is the most famous logo in the world. Unlike any other famous commercial logo, it has not
changed in 100 years!
However, the story of Coca-Cola is even older than that. It was in 1886 that John Pemberton, a
druggist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented a new type of syrup, using coca leaves, sugar and cola nuts,
plus a few other secret ingredients! Pemberton sold it as a medicine; and with its coca (the source of
cocaine), it must have made people feel good!
Nevertheless, Pemberton's medicine was not very successful, so he sold his secret formula to
another druggist, Asa Candler. Candler was interested, because he had another idea; he thought that
Pemberton's "medicine" would be much better if it was mixed with soda. Candler was thus the man
who really invented the drink Coca-Cola. At first he sold it in his drugstore; then he began selling the
syrup to other drugstores, who used it with their soda fountains. Candler also advertised his new
drink, and soon people were going to drugstores just to get a drink of Coca-cola.
Before long, other people became interested in the product, including a couple of businessmen
who wanted to sell it in bottles. Candler sold them a licence to bottle the drink, and very quickly the
men became millionnaires. The famous bottle, with its very distinctive shape, was designed in 1916.
During the First World War, American soldiers in Europe began asking for Coca-Cola, so the Cocacola company began to export to Europe. It was so popular with soldiers, that they then had to start
bottling the drink in Europe. Today, Coca-Cola is made in countries all over the world, including
Russia and China; it is the world's most popular drink.
As for the famous formula, it is probably the world's most valuable secret! The exact ingredients
for making Coca-Cola are only known to a handful of people. And as for the "coca" that was in the
original drink, that was eliminated in 1903. It was a drug, and too dangerous. Today's Coca-Cola
contains caffeine, but not cocaine!
Using information from the article, write a summary below in your own words..
Coca Cola was ____________ by John Pemberton, a ___________ living in Atlanta. The original
drink was a __________ , and Pemberton sold it ____ ____ medicine. It was really a
_____, being made from coca _________. Pemberton _____ his __________ to Asa Candler,
______ decided to sell it ____ ____ drink, ______ _______ soda. At first he _______ it in his
drugstores, then he _________ the ___________ to ___________ drugstores. After that, he
________ a ___________ to some businessmen, and they began to _________ the drink. That
was the ___________ of the __________ of Coca Cola.
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