The Сrown Jewels

Every year, millions of visitors come to the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels*. The Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower since 1303 after they were stolen from Westminster Abbey. Luckily, that time most of the Crown Jewels were found shortly afterwards and put in the Tower.

Although there have been a few attempts to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower, none of them have succeeded. But the name of one of the thieves has remained in the British history. He was Thomas Blood.

On the 9^th May, 1660, Thomas Blood, dressed as a priest, came to the Tower. He came with three well-dressed young men.

Thomas Blood had already been to the Tower a few days earlier. He was with a woman whom he introduced as his ‘wife’. When they were walking round the Tower, the ‘wife’ pretended to feel unwell and fainted. Talbert Edwards, who was Master of the Jewel Houseand lived in the Jewel House with his family, took the woman upstairs to his family’s rooms. He also asked his wife to help the fainted lady. In an hour or so the lady felt better and left the Tower with her ‘husband’.

On the second visit, Thomas Blood, again dressed as a priest, brought a present for Edwards' wife for her help and attention to his ‘wife’. He gained the confidence of the Master of the Jewel House, Talbot Edwards, and asked him to show the Crown Jewels to his friends. Talbot Edwards agreed and took them to the room where the Crown Jewels were kept. Suddenly Blood took out a hammer from under his priest’s dress and struck the Master on the head. Talbert Edwards fell down and fainted. Thomas Blood took the king's crown and made it flat with the hammer in order to put the crown into a large pocket of his priest dress. The other three men took other royal jewels and hid them in their pockets.

By chance, Talbert Edwards’ son, Wythe, arrived at the Tower earlier than expected. He found his father lying unconscious and bleeding. Wythe raised the alarm. Though Thomas Blood and his gang had left the jewel room, they were caught when they were getting out of the Tower. The broken crown and the jewels were found with them.

A report was immediately sent to the king, and Charles II sent for Thomas Blood. The king wanted to talk to the thief who had done such a wicked crime. The end of the story is unbelievable. Thomas Blood was not punished. Moreover, Blood was awarded a pension of £ 500 a year. At the same time the Master of the Jewel House Talbot Edwards was dismissed for his carelessness. Later, he died in misery.

Since Thomas Blood's attempt in 1600 up to the present date, there have been no attempts to steal the jewels. Nowadays the priceless collection is open for the public to view and the Crown Jewels are considered to be the most well-guarded treasures in the world. They are kept at the Tower and are guarded by the Yeomen Warders, commonly known as the Beefeaters.

*the Crown Jewels –– драгоценности из королевской казны

Начало формы

10. British kings and queens use the Crown Jewels for ceremonial events.

1) True 2) False 3) Not statedКонец формы

Начало формы

11. Thomas Blood’s crime was well-planned.

1) True 2) False 3) Not statedКонец формы

Начало формы

12. Talbert Edwards allowed Thomas Blood and his friends to have a look at the Crown Jewels.

1) True 2) False 3) Not statedКонец формы

Начало формы

13. Thomas Blood damaged the crown to take it out.

1) True 2) False 3) Not statedКонец формы

Начало формы

14. The criminals were found the next day after the robbery.

1) True 2) False 3) Not statedКонец формы

Начало формы

15. King Charles II punished Thomas Blood severely.

1) True 2) False 3) Not statedКонец формы

Начало формы

16. Thomas Blood promised King Charles II to stop stealing forever.

1) True 2) False 3) Not statedКонец формы

Начало формы

17. After Thomas Blood, other criminals tried to steal the Crown Jewels.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Конец формы

Прочитайте приведённый ниже текст. Преобразуйте слова, напечатанные заглавными буквами в конце строк, обозначенных номерами 18 –– 26, так, чтобы они грамматически соответствовали содержанию текста. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Каждый пропуск соответствует отдельному заданию 18 –– 26.

Начало формы

Martin and Jane were shopping. They were in the __________________ shopping centre in their city.

LARGE

Начало формы

In fact, it was their favourite place because it was nice and not very expensive. The centre __________________ “Dress for Less”. CALL

Начало формы

Unlike most __________________, Martin liked shopping. MAN

Начало формы

Today he felt really happy because he __________________ a shirt and a pair of jeans. Jane was still in the changing room so Martin had time for a cup of coffee in the lobby. BUY

Начало формы

It was the first time Martin had had a good look at the building itself. The shopping centre building __________________ impressive. The engineers had used advanced technologies to make it light, warm and spacious. BE

Конец формы

“Hi! ” Martin __________________ Jane’s voice. HEAR

“What are you having? Coffee? No, I __________________ coffee. Never. It’s not good for your health. ” “Look, Jane, do you know the name of the architect of this building? ” Martin interrupted her.

NOT/DRINK

Начало формы

Jane looked puzzled.

“I wish we __________________ change our life a bit, ” went on Martin. “We probably spend too much time on things like shopping and miss more important things. When was the last time we visited a museum? ” CAN

Jane quietly sat down on the chair beside __________________. HE

Конец формы

Прочитайте приведённый ниже текст. Преобразуйте слова, напечатанные заглавными буквами в конце строк, обозначенных номерами 27 –– 32, так, чтобы они грамматически и лексически соответствовали содержанию текста. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Каждый пропуск соответствует отдельному заданию 27 –– 32.

There is a popular opinion that all children are talented. It’s true - children are curious and have a good _________ IMAGINE _________. It helps them make _________ AMAZE _________ things from very routine objects like stones, leaves, or strips of fabric. Coloured paper, watercolours and pencils stimulate their _________ CREATE _________ minds a lot too! However, sometimes parents may _________ APPROVE _________ of their children’s artistic activities like drawing on the walls and indoor experiments with fireworks. But _________ PUNISH _________ is not a good solution! Any art activity develops children’s brains and stimulates their ability in science. Be _________ CARE _________ with your children’s natural talents. Never stop them doing an activity but instead create an appropriate and safe environment for it.