Вставьте подходящую форму Passive в пробелы. 1. In most steam locomotives the pistons ……. to driving wheels by means of connecting rods (to couple2. The Vladivostok-Khabarovsk branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway ……. in 1897 (to build).3. Nowadays the Trans-Asian Railway that will link Europe and the Pacific ocean……. by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP) (to plan).4. Prior to the reign of Nicholas I, very little consideration ……. to railways in Russia (to give).5. Cars ……. together into a train and hauled by a locomotive (to couple).6. Due to Russia's large land area and severe conditions, transportation ……. always ……. a major problem for its people and the government (to be).7. The first railways in Russia ……. for the mining and metallurgical industries (to build).8. Freight wagons ……. to the ideal carriage of different things (to adapt).9. By 1916 an uninterrupted line ……. from the Urals to Vladivostok (to build).10. The route of the present-day BAM ……. first ……. in the 1880s as an option for the eastern section of the Trans-Siberian Railway (to consider).11. A lot of new routes ……. nowadays (to electrify).12. The Ministry of Communications of Russia ……. officially……. in 1865 (to found).13. So far 21 tunnels, with a total length of 47 km, and more than 4, 200 bridges, with a total length of over 400 km, ……. for the Baikal-Amur Mainline (to build).14. In September 1984, a «golden spike» ……., which symbolized the connection of the eastern and western sections of the BAM (to hammer).15. A lot of high speed rail lines ……. in Russia in the near future (to build).16. The line from Tumangang to Rajin in North Korea ……by the RZD (Russian Railways) by 2015 (to upgrade).

Life today seems to be much better than 50 years ago. It became much easier to do many basic things. For example, people don't have to wash clothes without a washing machine. There is a microwave, a vacuum cleaner, a dishwasher, an electric cooker almost in every house. Modern technology has fully changed our lives to the better. Fifty years ago people couldn't even imagine that household chores would be done by smart appliances. To think only, they didn't know that computers would instantly send messages, take photos, or allow making video calls. Nobody had cell phones back then. On the one hand, it might have been difficult to live without these gadgets. On the other hand, children were much happier without cell phones and hand-held computers. My grandparents often tell me about their childhood and youth. They say it was a happy time and people were different.People of their generation weren't commercially-minded at all. Our generation lives at the era of consumerism. We don’t value things and clothes that much. When we break or spoil something, we go to the store and easily buy a new one. My grandmother tells that she could wear the same pair of shoes for ten years and more, while I want to buy new shoes almost every season. Women’s rights have also been modified. Fifty years ago they were supposed to be diligent housewives. Today women are seen at many high positions. They can be leading lawyers, politicians, financiers, top managers and superintendants. Another modern step forward is the development of travel opportunities. It has become faster, cheaper and more convenient to travel from one country to another. It is beneficial nearly for everyone: international students, curious adults, international commerce and trade, etc.

1. How long have you been acquinted with Molly ? - Oh, we have been acquinted for ages ! 2. Where is Sandra ? - She is in the kitchen. She is still preparing dinner. She has not been finished to prepare the main course. Have you been dying from hunger ? 3. Have you ever tasted expensive Italian champagne "Martini Asti" with red caviar ? - No, this summer I'm going to fly to Naples. 4. Is Linda still staying in the bank ? -No, she has just come back. 5. Do you often go for holiday ? - No, I haven't been going for 5 years.6. What a horrible weather ! It has been raining cats and dogs all the day ! It looks it won't ever stop. 7. My grandparents have their marriage anniversary today. They have been married  for 50 years. It's incredible ! They have got 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and even 3 grand-grandchildren. 8. Oh, no! I have lost my passport again ! -You have lost it fifth time. You have been constantly loosing something. And don't ask me: " Have you eventually seen my passport, Darling?" 9. Do you like Paris? -Oh, it's the most wonderful city which I have ever visited. And why I haven't come here before?