Продолжение материала «Экзаменационная работа для проведения государственной итоговой аттестации выпускников IX классов общеобразовательных учреждений 2010 года (в новой форме) по английскому языку».

В2
A. How to learn about Backpackers?
B. For whom are Backpackers?
C. Who stays at Backpackers?
D. What facilities can Backpackers provide?
E. How much is to stay in Backpackers?
F. What is there in a Backpackers room?

1. Backpackers hotels or just Backpackers are extremely popular in Australia. They are the same as Youth Hostels in Britain, but have a different name. The name comes from the word «backpack» — an Australian equivalent for «rucksack». Backpackers are places where travellers can stay for a night or for a longer time. The name «backpackers» suggests that if people travel on their own with backpacks, they don’t normally care for luxury and services an expensive hotel can provide. So, the place is designed for people to stay cheaply and safely while their travelling round the country or probably taking some educational courses.

2. Though people who stay at Backpackers are not very particular about the range of services and the equipment of the room, Backpackers normally meet all reasonable requirements. Three or four people can normally stay in one room. The room is furnished with beds, clean and fresh linen, bedcovers and towels are provided. Often one can see bunk beds there. This is quite convenient and saves room. There is also a desk, a couple of chairs, a mirror and a wardrobe in the room. Some rooms have en suite showers, but sometimes toilets and showers are provided on a communal basis.

3. These types of hotels appeared in the beginning of the twentieth century, they were used primarily by students as they needed cheap places to stay. Now there are thousands of them all over the world and people of different ages and different statuses enjoy staying there. There are retired people, groups of tourists on their own, families with and without kids and certainly students. They come from different countries and represent different cultures but everyone who likes nature and wants to explore the world is welcome in this friendly and easy-going community.

4. Usually there is a kitchen with the most essential kitchen appliances and equipment such as dishes, a refrigerator, a microwave and a coffee maker. So, visitors can prepare their own food or eat in a cafe. Backpackers’ cafes can offer simple but tasty dishes for very reasonable price. There is usually a TV in the hall, books and newspapers the visitors can borrow and the Internet facilities. There is also a laundry room with several washing machines, where one can get their clothes washed very cheaply.

5. Information about Backpackers is available in tourist agencies and International centers, in all kinds of tourists booklets and guides, and certainly in the Internet. As prices and facilities in different Backpackers may vary, it’s usually a good idea to call beforehand and ask about the things which are important for you. In high season the prior contact is very advisable. Backpackers can simply be full as they are getting more and more popular with people of different ages and nationalities.

Once upon a time there was an old man who dearly loved his only son. His son enjoyed riding horses and swimming in the swift waters of mountain rivers, but most of all he liked hunting. The old man was proud that his son was full of courage but he was afraid of his passion for hunting. Once in a dream he saw that his son would be killed by a huge lion. The poor father was afraid that this dream would come true and decided to save his only son. The man built a nice big house for his son and set in a high place where he could keep his eye on him. The father didn’t allow the young man to leave the house. In order to please and entertain his son, the old man put paintings of every kind of animal in one of the rooms. There was a buffalo, a wolf, an elephant, a rhino and deers in the pictures. Among them there was a lion. But looking at all the animals did not distract the young man from his boredom.

One day, he approached the painting and spoke angrily to the lion in it: «You damned beast, it’s because of you and my father’s lying dream that I am kept here in this prison. I can’t do what I want. I can neither climb the mountains nor hunt in the forest. It’s your fault. What can I do to you?» And as he said this, he struck his fist against the wall to blind the lion. But a small sharp piece of wood got under his fingernail and the young man could not get it out. The old man called for a doctor but the doctor wasn’t able to help his son. The finger became red and hurt unbearably, it increased to an enormous size. Soon the young man died of the fierce fever. The lion, even though it was only a painted one, had indeed killed the young man, just as his father had foreseen.

A5
The old man’s son was against killing animals.

1) True    2) False    3) Not stated

A6
The son liked staying inside the house.

1) True    2) False    3) Not stated

A7
The old man decorated the house with the most expensive pictures.

1) True    2) False    3) Not stated

A8
The old man failed to save his son.

1) True    2) False    3) Not stated