Read the text and choose four of the statements a–f to match paragraphs 1 - 4. a. garlic reduces the risk of heart disease. b. juggling is good for the brain. c. eating oranges can stop you from getting colds d. sitting too close to a television is bad for your eyes. e. if you get cold, you risk catching a cold. f. reading in poor light can damage your eyes. truth or myth? this is a (5) it won’t damage your eyes, (6) it might give you a headache. the (7) thing is to watch television at a distance that feels comfortable. but watching too much tv can be a bad idea. in (8) research shows that children who (9) spend more than 10 hours a week watching tv are more likely to be overweight and slower to learn at school. 2 this (10) to be true. scientists have found that juggling balls for one minute every day can increase your brain (11) researchers in germany carried out brain scans and found that certain areas of the brain had grown (12) in people who practiced juggling. however, when they (13) juggling, their brains went back to their (14) size. 3 this is a (15) , but scientists say there is nothing to (16) that it’s true. however, the use of this vegetable as a natural (17) goes back to the ancient egyptians, and research shows that it can be an effective (18) for coughs, sore throats and upset stomachs, among other (19) unfortunately, many people dislike the smell, but you can take it in pill form. 4 the truth is that people get colds from viruses, not from being cold. (20) keeping warm may help you to (21) getting a cold. researchers at cardiff university’s common cold centre found that a fall in body temperature can (22) cold viruses to become active. in a (23) a group of people sat with their feet in (24) of iced water for 20 minutes. a third of them developed colds in the next five days, compared to only 9% of another group who kept dry. task 2 now read the text again and complete the gaps 5–24 with the words below: although cause illnesses power sensible appears common larger prove stopped avoid fact myth regularly treatment bowls however normal remedy trial

Truth or Myth?  

1 D - Sitting too close to a television is bad for your eyes.

This is (5) a myth. It won't damage your eyes, (6) however it might give you a headache. The (7) sensible thing is to watch television at a distance that feels comfortable. But watching too much TV can be a bad idea. In (8) fact, research shows that children who (9) regularly spend more than 10 hours a week watching TV are more likely to be overweight and slower to learn at school.

2 B - Juggling is good for the brain.

This (10) appears to be true. Scientists have found that juggling balls for one minute every day can increase your brain (11) power. Researchers in Germany carried out brain scans and found that certain areas of the brain had grown (12) larger in people who practised juggling. However, when they (13) stopped juggling, their brains went back to their (14) normal size.

3 A- Garlic reduces the risk of heart disease.

This is a (15) common belief, but scientists say there is nothing to (16) prove that it's true. However, the use of this vegetable as a natural (17) remedy goes back to the Ancient Egyptians, and research shows that it can be an effective (18) treatment for coughs, sore throats and upset stomachs, among other (19) illnesses. Unfortunately, many people dislike the smell, but you can take it in pill form.

4 E - If you get cold, you risk catching a cold.

The truth is that people get cold from viruses, not from being cold. (20) Although, keeping warm may help you to (21) avoid getting a cold. Researchers at Cardiff University's Common Cold Centre found that a fall in body temperature can (22) cause cold viruses to become active. In a (23) trial, a group of people sat with their feet in (24) bowls of iced water for 20 minutes. A third of them developed colds in the next five days, compared to only 9% of another group who kept dry.

 

Сначала о главном, да о грамматике, без неё никуда.

(a) few – используется с исчисляемыми существительными: cats, dogs…

(a) little – соответственно с неисчисляемыми: milk, money…

Когда же использовать few/little, а когда a few/a little?

Здесь весь фокус в том, какой смысл мы вкладываем в предложение:

a few – немного, несколько, но есть// few – очень мало, почти нет.

a little - немного, но есть// little - очень мало, почти нет.

Возьмём первый пример:

1. Не has got a few friends – у него есть несколько друзей

1. Не has got few friends – у него почти нет друзей

Почувствовала разницу?

А дальше можно так:

2. I drink little coffee. I don’t like it.

3. We must hurry. We’ve got very little time.

4. There are very few scholarships for students in this university.

5. The Smiths have a little money. They aren’t rich.

6. The theatre was almost empty. There were very few people there. (a person-people=plural noun)

7. There was (a) little lemonade in the bottle. There were (a) few peaches in the basket.

8. I have little time, so I can’t go with you. (time – uncountable/ может быть исчисляемым в значении «сколько раз – how many times»)

9. There is little ink in my pen. Have you got any ink?

10. There are a few bears in the zoo.(хочется надеяться, что a few, а не few)

Комментарий: в выражения very little и very few артикль не используется, но если другими словами, то по значению very little = little,а very few = few.

Good Luck!

1) India gained its independence after World War II .

2) This is the most successful presentation at the University.

3) My trousers are too long. I must shorten them.

4) He works quickly but carelessly so he makes a lot of mistakes.

5) Most people are satisfied with their living conditions.

6) His parents encourage him to take the exam.

7) His behaviour is so bad that even his parents can’t control him.

8) He watched the performance with obvious enjoyment.

9) The criminal situation in this area is too dangerous.

10) The results proved to be unpredictable. Nobody had expected this.

11) Popularity is the only thing he is looking for.