KVÍZ Zvládol by si zmaturovať z angličtiny? Otestuj sa z písomnej maturity z roku 2018 (B1)

The origins of bird-watching in the United States date back to the late 1800s when conservationists became concerned about the hunting of birds to [21] feathers for the fashion industry. It was better, they argued, to watch birds in the wild [22] to shoot them. The term bird-watching is thought to have originated in 1901 with the publication of a book with that name. Today, bird-watching and birding are both used regularly; some people prefer birding [23] it includes listening to birds rather than just watching them. With [24] in binoculars following World War II and the publication of field guides with pictures and descriptions of bird species, interest in birding grew throughout the 20th century. Birding is very interesting for a number of [25] . For one, bird-watching is enjoyable for all ages and abilities. It is a way to [26] children to nature and a means for the elderly to connect to the outdoor world. Birding is ideal both as a family activity and as a hobby for individuals who want to [27] from the pressures of daily life. As backyard birdwatchers become more familiar with visitors to their feeders, they may [28] their interest by taking classes to learn more about birds or by [29] a local club to go for walks with other birders. As satisfying as bird-watching is [30] , it also goes well with other hobbies.  

A virtual classroom is like a real one, except you don’t need to be actually in the classroom. You access the virtual classroom via a computer or a mobile device. All the activities, tasks and communication [31] based on traditional learning techniques, but these are supplemented by online methods [32] make learning in the new medium more effective. [33] you need is an internet connection, webcam and microphone. Every subject can be taught in virtual classrooms but it [34] proved unexpectedly good in teaching foreign languages. The specific kinds of communication supported by technology made the participants more patient and less willing to interrupt [35] other, to pronounce sentences [36] clearly, to improve their accents and make their arguments short and relevant – maybe because you can’t rely on gestures as [37] to explain what you want. If you want a safe and effective way of learning, a course which [38] designed for your needs, a teacher who guides you and tracks [39] progress, homework which always waits [40] you, and a class which you missed recorded and stored for you – then a virtual classroom is perfect.

I first travelled to New York City with my parents in 1969, at age seven. It was lots of fun seeing so many things! [41] These included Broadway, Times Square, the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. Since then, I have returned to the Big Apple a dozen or so times. My father drove us to NYC from Cleveland. [42] I remember that he was driving quite fast as we first saw the Manhattan skyline. I don’t remember too much else about our first day in the Big Apple. [43] I have fond memories of my first visit to the Empire State Building, then the tallest building in the world. I was amazed that it was 102 storeys high. [44] The highlight of the trip for me was watching two live TV game shows. [45] I loved watching these shows on TV as a kid, and seeing them live was heaven. Ed McMahon hosted the first show and Art Fleming hosted the second. Another thing I loved in NYC was visiting Times Square. [46] With my love of numbers as a kid, I was even more fascinated with the digital clock below the cartoon display, which ticked every tenth of a second. [47] It really was a great visit!

Vitus Bering was born in the port town of Horsens in Denmark to Anne Pedderdatter and her husband Jonas Svendsen in 1681. He was named after a great-uncle, Vitus Pedersen Bering, who had worked in the royal court. Because of this royal connection, the family enjoyed a high standard of living. Two of Vitus’ elder half-brothers attended the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Vitus, however, did not and instead signed on at age 15 as a ship’s boy. Between 1696 and 1704, Bering travelled the seas, reaching India and the Dutch East Indies. In that time he also found time to complete naval officer training in Amsterdam. He would also claim later that he served on Danish whalers in the North Atlantic, visiting European colonies in the Caribbean and on the eastern seaboard of North America. It was in Amsterdam, however, where Bering joined the Russian navy, taking the rank of sublieutenant in 1704. He served under Norwegian-born Russian admiral Cornelius Cruys. He would be repeatedly promoted in Peter the Great’s rapidly developing navy, reaching the rank of second captain by 1720. At that time, it appears he was not involved in any sea battles, but commanded several vessels on dangerous missions, including the transport of a ship from the Azov Sea on Russia’s southern coast to the Baltic on her northern coast. On 8 October 1713, Bering married Anna Christina Pülse. During his time with the Russian navy – particularly as part of the Great Northern War that ended in 1721 – he was unable to spend much time with Anna, who was approximately eleven years Bering’s junior and the daughter of a Swedish merchant