The Rila Monastery in Bulgaria

Read the text and mark the sentences True, False or No information in the text        

          The Rila Monastery is an architectural work of enormous dimensions, an apogee of the work of the Renaissance craftsmen, icon-painters, wood-carvers, artisans in the artistic area where architecture and the decorative and monumental painting of stone, wood and metal are combined.
          The Rila Monastery was founded in the l0th century by the Bulgarian monk St. John of Rila and was rebuilt in the l3th -l4th century. From that time date the fortress tower, the bishop's throne, richly carved doors and some manuscripts, icon paintings and church plates.
         Situated high up in the Rila Mountains, the monastery is not easy to reach. From the town of Rila, the monastery is still some 25km away. Access is difficult but the experience is well worth the effort.
         The building has four levels of colorful balconies with some 300 cells, kitchens, guard rooms, a hospital, chapels and even a winery. From the top balcony you have splendid views of the surrounding Rila Mountains. In the center of the courtyard, there is a beautiful church with amazing frescos. The best time to visit the monastery is weekdays (far fewer tourists) and during the early morning or sunset.

1. The Rila Monastery is a modernistic building, designed by contemporary architects. ..............
2. The Rila Monastery was established about 11 centuries ago. ...........
3. It is not a good idea to visit the monastery as it is difficult to access. ...............
4. There are four chapels in the monastery. .............
5. The best time to visit the monastery is the summer. ..............

Find words in the text which mean the following:
1. painting on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling (n.) - ................................
2. the most successful, popular or powerful point(n.) - ............................
3. a large strong building which can be defended from attack (n.) - ............................
4. an old document or book written by hand in the times before printing was invented (n.) - .........................
5. the method or possibility of getting near to a place or person (n.) - ..........................

You will find the Key in the first comment.

The Solar Backpack

        Dictation - intermediate/ upper intermediate

        The solar backpack is typically a cloth sack that is portable enough to be carried on the back or over the shoulders of the individual.  It is normally equipped with a flexible solar panel, batteries, cords, plugs, light bulbs, and charge controller.  The mechanism allows for the conversion of sunlight into usable electricity to provide power to common portable electronic appliances and devices. It usually delivers power that can last for up to 120 watt-hours per day. 

        The solar powered backpack has evolved from a supreme idea of charging smaller electrical devices from the sun energy. Therefore their first benefit is that it helps you to make your life easier, simpler and more comfortable. Moreover, solar power is free of charge, so you will not have any running costs, while using your backpack to charge other devices. Also you should not forget that it is a backpack, therefore you may take it with you anywhere you want. Its size and weight are specifically adjusted for relocation purposes.  The solar powered backpacks usually come with a whole set of different cell-phone adapters and USB plugs, therefore you shall not worry, almost all of your devices can be charged with the help of this miracle of high-tech-innovation.

       This device is easy to operate, safe to use, convenient to take and fashionable. It is an ideal product for living and traveling. There are many practical applications that can make it extremely functional like in the case of field research, international aid, emergency power, or disaster relief among others.

Chewing gum

(Open cloze)

Instructions
For questions 1-10, read the text below and write the word which best fits in each space. Use only one word in each space.


Up until WWII, chewing gum (1)……….. made of a substance called chicle mixed with flavorings. Chicle is a latex sap that comes from the sapodilla tree (native (2) ………. Central America). In other words, chicle is a form of rubber. Just like rubber bands don't dissolve when you chew them, (3) ……………. does chicle. Chicle is a good bit softer (4) ………….. rubber bands and happens to soften more (5) ……….. it gets warm in your mouth. If you freeze chicle with ice, it gets very stiff -- chicle hardens and softens over a pretty narrow temperature range.
After WWII, chemists learned (6) ………….. to make artificial gum bases to replace chicle. These gum bases are essentially synthetic rubbers (7)…………. have the same temperature profile (8)…………….. chicle.
Gum bases, (9) ………….. natural or artificial, are mixed with sugar and other flavorings to make chewing gum. When you chew it, the rubber releases these flavorings (10) ……………. your mouth. ­

 You will find the key in the first comment.

Tag questions - exercise

1. He sometimes reads the newspaper,…………………………?
2. You are Indian, ………………………?
3. Peggy didn't use the pencil, ………………………………?
4. Mary has answered the teacher's question, ………………………?
5. The boy is from Turkey, ………………………………?
6. Sue wasn't listening, …………………………?
7. Andrew isn't sleeping, ………………………?
8. Tom and Maria will arrive at Heathrow, ………………………?
9. He's been to Texas,………………………?
10. Dogs like meat, ……………………………?
11. There are some apples left, ……………………………?
12. I'm late, …………………………?
13. Let's go, …………………………?
14. Don't smoke, ……………………………?
15. He does sing in the bathroom, ……………………………?
16. He'll never know, …………………………?
17. I think, he's from India, ………………………?
18. Lovely day today, …………………………?
19. She is collecting stickers, ……………………………?
20. We often watch TV in the afternoon, …………………………?
21. You have cleaned your bike, ……………………………?
22. John and Max don't like Maths, ………………………………?
23. Peter played handball yesterday, ……………………………?
24. They are going home from school, ………………………………?
25. Mary didn't do her homework last Monday, …………………………………?
26. He could have bought a new car, ……………………………?
27. Kevin will come tonight, ……………………………?
28. I'm clever, ……………………………………?