I'm absolutely sure that people's opinion of British food is based on ignorance. They say we eat potatoes with everything. But you __________________ (RARE) get a meal anywhere in Europe that does not come with chips. The __________________ (DIFFER) is that we do not boast about our cuisine. In my view, we are very __________________ (CREATE) when it comes to food. In Britain, you can enjoy a wonderful __________________ (COMBINE) of dishes from different cuisines. You can wake up in the morning and have an English breakfast, a slice of Italian pizza at lunchtime, Japanese sushi for dinner and a Turkish kebab on the way home from the club. What else could you ask for? And never tell me British food is __________________ (TASTE) and boring! That's just __________________, (FAIR) so come and try it for yourselves.

For some reason British food does not have the best reputation in the world. A few years ago I asked a ____________ (VISIT) to Britain about the local food. He described it as tasteless and __________________ (BORE). I cannot agree with his opinion and find his words totally __________________ (FAIR). For a start, British desserts and cakes are so good that British school children are often punished with ' no pudding' if they don't behave __________________ (PROPER). And apart from the desserts there are lots of fantastic traditional British dishes, including the __________________ (FAME) full English breakfast, mouth-watering sandwiches, and delicious soups. Britain has amazing vegetarian restaurants and all the __________________ (NATIONAL) food you could possibly imagine, including Italian pasta restaurants, Indian curry houses and Japanese sushi bars. Lots of foreigners return home with much better stories about British food.

The Turners were not used to snow. The most they ever got in Birmingham was an inch or so each winter. Even that happened quite __________________(RARE). The __________________(FUN) thing was that a tiny bit of snow was enough to cancel school and even to close some businesses. One night, in March of 1993, something very __________________(EXCITE) happened. Very cold air from Canada created the "Storm of the Century". When the Turner kids woke up on Saturday morning, there were 17 inches of __________________(WONDER) snow as far as the eye could see. The Turners were in shock. They had no idea what to do. Though Mr. Turner was an experienced __________________(DRIVE) he chose to leave his car in the garage. He wanted the whole family to stay at home but it was natural for the kids to __________________(AGREE) with him. They put on the warmest clothes they had and ran outside to enjoy the snow.

Millions of people want to learn English. There are lots of __________________(DIFFER) methods and the main problem is how to choose the best one. Some people believe that the most __________________(EFFECT) way is to study English in Britain or in any other English-speaking country. The advantage of going to Britain seems obvious. Everyone around you speaks English. It’s practically __________________(POSSIBLE) to avoid communication, so you’ll learn English __________________(QUICK). On the other hand, one can learn English at home. There are lots of possibilities there too: a good __________________(TEACH), a language school or an on-line course. There are many ways to get a good language __________________(EDUCATE) now.

Most people love travelling. Some people prefer exotic countries, others like the __________________ (EUROPE) capitals with their famous museums, galleries and historical monuments. However, to travel does not always mean to go far away. There are lots of __________________ (FANTASY) places in our own countries and even in our own regions! As for the means of transport, planes are the fastest and the most __________________ (COMFORT) but they don’t suit everyone. There are people who are afraid of flying. Another factor against planes is that the tickets are very __________________ (EXPENSE) and not everyone can afford them. There are lots of passengers who definitely prefer trains for their ___________ (SAFE) and reasonable prices. Trains are also better for the environment. Planes, unfortunately, produce gases that are very ___________ (HARM) to the atmosphere of the planet.

Every year the world goes dark for one hour, the Earth Hour. The event is organised by the __________________(NATION) World Wildlife Fund. At tourist destinations, in offices and private homes, lights are switched off for one hour at __________________(EXACT) 8:00 pm. The idea is to show that our planet is in danger and it needs care and __________________(PROTECT). It's __________________(POSSIBLE) to remain indifferent to changes in the climate which go on and on. The Earth Hour is not about saving an hour’s electricity. It’s about realising that we live on a __________________(WONDER) planet and need to look after it — not just for an hour a year but every day. The Earth Hour is a part of an __________________(ECOLOGY) education whose aim is to make people understand their responsibility to the planet.

Siem Reap is a small town in Cambodia, a country in southeast Asia. It is built around a __________________(FAME) cathedral. The town is charming with some fine examples of French colonial architecture. A legend says that a French

__________________(WRITE) once called the town “a pearl of Cambodia”. Nowadays, this town is quite popular with tourists. They often use it as a starting point for their _________________(EXCITE) travellings. The town is really remarkable. There you will find some __________________(IMPRESS) stone monuments and statues, ancient buildings and picturesque ruins. Note that it’s __________________(USUAL) hot there in the summer. Please ensure that you take __________________(COMFORT) walking shoes, light clothing and plenty of water to drink.

People are afraid of lots of things. There are many __________________(DIFFER) kinds of fears called phobias. They affect at least a quarter of the __________________(TRADITION). POPULATE The __________________ treatment for people with strong phobias is some kind of therapy. In most cases it doesn’t work but doctors still believe that phobias can be cured. __________________(RECENT) they have discovered a drug which can help people to overcome their phobias. It doesn’t work for everybody but when it does, it is very __________________(EFFECT). People, who take the pill feel much better – most of their fears __________________(APPEAR).

Have you heard of a Tadeus Bodnar? He is a __________________(FAME) Hungarian hairdresser. Not long ago he stopped using the __________________(TRADITION) scissors and comb. Now his instruments are axes, irons and vacuum cleaners. Now he is very __________________(SUCCESS) and happy because with his innovative techniques he can express himself better. He cuts hair in his shop in Budapest by chopping it with an axe. Then he styles the hair using a vacuum cleaner, or straightens it with an iron. It’s difficult to believe but the extravagant hairdresser is very popular. Many people find him very __________________(CREATE). Every day there’s an __________________(END) line of people streaming to his shop. They wish to change their __________________(APPEAR) and have a thrilling, new experience.