Every year the world goes dark for one hour, the Earth Hour. The event is organised by the __________________(NATION) World Wildlife Fund. At tourist destinations, in offices and private homes, lights are switched off for one hour at __________________(EXACT) 8:00 pm. The idea is to show that our planet is in danger and it needs care and __________________(PROTECT). It's __________________(POSSIBLE) to remain indifferent to changes in the climate which go on and on. The Earth Hour is not about saving an hour’s electricity. It’s about realising that we live on a __________________(WONDER) planet and need to look after it  — not just for an hour a year but every day. The Earth Hour is a part of an __________________(ECOLOGY) education whose aim is to make people understand their responsibility to the planet.

The Turners were not used to snow. The most they ever got in Birmingham was an inch or so each winter. Even that happened quite __________________(RARE). The __________________(FUN) thing was that a tiny bit of snow was enough to cancel school and even to close some businesses. One night, in March of 1993, something very __________________(EXCITE) happened. Very cold air from Canada created the "Storm of the Century". When the Turner kids woke up on Saturday morning, there were 17 inches of __________________(WONDER) snow as far as the eye could see. The Turners were in shock. They had no idea what to do. Though Mr. Turner was an experienced __________________(DRIVE) he chose to leave his car in the garage. He wanted the whole family to stay at home but it was natural for the kids to __________________(AGREE) with him. They put on the warmest clothes they had and ran outside to enjoy the snow.

Dr Michael Werner says that he has eaten nothing for four years.

The German __________________(SCIENCE) explains that he gets all his energy from sunlight. He says he drinks only water and __________________(DIFFER) fruit juices. Dr Werner has written an __________________(EXCITE) book about his experiences. In it he says that when he started the experiment he even put on weight.

He says: “I can't really give an __________________(EXPLAIN) of what’s happening to me; perhaps I just believe in my theory.” Dr Werner’s colleagues say that only plants can produce energy from the sun, and they cannot explain how he is able to stay __________________(HEALTH). “This case __________________(PROBABLE) needs a lot more research before we will be able to explain it,” they say.

Many tourists find they don't like staying in city hotels. They prefer to avoid __________________(NOISE) cities completely. They are attracted instead to dramatic views of mountains and __________________(PEACE) valleys. If you like this sort of tourism, Mountain View Camp is for you. You’ll have an __________________(FORGETTABLE) vacation there. The Camp has a view over the __________________(IMPRESS) Hampson Valley. In the camp, tourists can rent either tents or bungalows. All the guests have free access to different facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms and playgrounds for children. The camp is a successful __________________(COMBINE) of both comfort and a green environment. The tourists can also have lunch in one of the many restaurants and try European or __________________(NATION) cuisine.

Millions of people want to learn English. There are lots of __________________(DIFFER) methods and the main problem is how to choose the best one. Some people believe that the most __________________(EFFECT) way is to study English in Britain or in any other English-speaking country. The advantage of going to Britain seems obvious. Everyone around you speaks English. It’s practically __________________(POSSIBLE) to avoid communication, so you’ll learn English __________________(QUICK). On the other hand, one can learn English at home. There are lots of possibilities there too: a good __________________(TEACH), a language school or an on-line course. There are many ways to get a good language __________________(EDUCATE) now.

If someone asks what your nationality is, how do you answer? For British people __________________(NATION) identity is a complex issue. Take me for example. I carry a passport issued by the British __________________(GOVERN). I was born in England, but my Mum is Scottish and my Granny is from Northern Ireland. So what am I? __________________(ACTUAL), I am really all of them: English, Irish, Scottish and British. Each of the “nations” has a lot in common but they also have their own unique culture and __________________(TRADITION) lifestyle. They __________________(LIKE) it when people call them English. And perhaps the most important __________________(DIFFER) of all  — each nation has its own football team!

The city of St Davids is situated on the south-west coast of Wales. If you're looking for an __________________(USUAL) place to go, this is your destination. It was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II but in reality St Davids looks like an __________________(ATTRACT) small village. It is actually the smallest city in Britain with a __________________(POPULATE) of just over 1,600. St Davids has a __________________(BEAUTY) medieval cathedral which dates back to the 12th century. Today it is a __________________(CHARM) place with narrow streets filled with cafes, hotels and art galleries  — but only one pub! St Davids is famous for its sandy beaches and clear water. Whitesands Bay is a regular __________________(WIN) of the prestigious European Blue Flag award.

Reading is one of the most popular pastimes and books are one of the main sources of knowledge.

Everyone knows this but, __________________(FORTUNATELY), there are many young people who don’t like to read.They say it is not cool but I firmly __________________(AGREE) with them. Books have the ability to take you to another world, to wake up your __________________(IMAGINE) and transport you to places you’ve never been to. Books can be __________________(DIFFER) in size and content. Their stories can be __________________(EXCITE), scary, romantic or funny but above all, books are just interesting. I'm absolutely sure that books by a good __________________(WRITE) will always be popular.

Siem Reap is a small town in Cambodia, a country in southeast Asia. It is built around a __________________(FAME) cathedral. The town is charming with some fine examples of French colonial architecture. A legend says that a French

__________________(WRITE) once called the town “a pearl of Cambodia”. Nowadays, this town is quite popular with tourists. They often use it as a starting point for their _________________(EXCITE) travellings. The town is really remarkable. There you will find some __________________(IMPRESS) stone monuments and statues, ancient buildings and picturesque ruins. Note that it’s __________________(USUAL) hot there in the summer. Please ensure that you take __________________(COMFORT) walking shoes, light clothing and plenty of water to drink.

Piranhas are South American fish. There are lots of scary stories about them. Most people think that piranhas are very __________________(DANGER) creatures. However, a __________________(SCIENCE) from St Andrews University, Anne Magurran, has recently announced that to call piranhas cruel killers is not fair. They __________________(USUAL) eat fish, plants and insects. According to Professor Anne Magurran, piranhas attack people and animals only when they want to defend themselves. However, most travellers strongly __________________(AGREE) with this point of view. They recommend keeping away from the water where piranhas live. When the fish attack in groups, it is practically __________________(POSSIBLE) to survive. Whatever your opinion of piranhas, this is a __________________(USE) piece of advice one should follow.

Have you heard of a Tadeus Bodnar? He is a __________________(FAME) Hungarian hairdresser. Not long ago he stopped using the __________________(TRADITION) scissors and comb. Now his instruments are axes, irons and vacuum cleaners. Now he is very __________________(SUCCESS) and happy because with his innovative techniques he can express himself better. He cuts hair in his shop in Budapest by chopping it with an axe. Then he styles the hair using a vacuum cleaner, or straightens it with an iron. It’s difficult to believe but the extravagant hairdresser is very popular. Many people find him very __________________(CREATE). Every day there’s an __________________(END) line of people streaming to his shop. They wish to change their __________________(APPEAR) and have a thrilling, new experience.

Axel is a 9-year-old Bulgarian orphan (си­ро­та). He was adopted by a __________________(WEALTH) western family. His new father works as a __________________(BANK) in Sweden and he is quite rich. Axel __________________(REGULAR) wrote e-mails to the director of the orphanage, Jane Smitova. He told her that he was saving his Christmas and birthday money to help his friends. Axel said that he wanted the money to be spent on presents for his former playmates. Later Jane said "I understood that __________________(FRIEND) meant a lot to a small boy but I would never have imagined that Axel could be talking about such an __________________(POSSIBLE) sum of money. It's so touching and we are going to spend it in a very __________________(CARE) way."

The boy saved £6,000.

People are afraid of lots of things. There are many __________________(DIFFER) kinds of fears called phobias. They affect at least a quarter of the __________________(POPULATE). The __________________(TRADITION) treatment for people with strong phobias is some kind of therapy. In most cases it doesn’t work but doctors still believe that phobias can be cured. __________________(RECENT) they have discovered a drug which can help people to overcome their phobias. It doesn’t work for everybody but when it does, it is very __________________(EFFECT). People, who take the pill feel much better – most of their fears __________________(APPEAR).

People travel a lot nowadays. Planes are considered to be the most __________________(COMFORT) means of transport but for some people airports can be a nightmare. There are __________________(END) queues when you check in and you waste lots of time if your flight is delayed. However, there are some airports where you can __________________(ACTUAL) enjoy yourself. For example, you’ll never be bored at Hong Kong’s international airport. There are thousands of people from __________________(DIFFER) countries here but the passengers never experience any problems because everything is well organised. There are attendants in red coats, who help you to get from one place to another. It’s very good for people with no sense of __________________(DIRECT). The attendants are always very polite and __________________(HELP).

Can people live without friends? Most of us would say "no". Friends make our lives enjoyable and __________________(INTEREST). Friendship is something you can't buy. It is a __________________(WONDER) and valuable gift. It is __________________(POSSIBLE) to live without people who care for you and who are always ready to help. However, to find a true friend is not easy. Friendship requires honesty, trust and __________________(KIND). Being a friend means not only having fun together but helping each other in a difficult __________________(SITUATE). A true friend not only praises you but tells you when you are not right too. If you have already found such a person, you're __________________(LUCK).

Last spring my best friend Isabelle and I booked a holiday in Venice. We rented a small apartment for a week with a __________________(WONDER) view of the town. At the last moment another friend, Linda, asked if she could come with us. She was a __________________(FRIEND), cheerful girl and we were glad to have her join us. Venice was a __________________(FANTASY) place and we enjoyed our trip greatly. Linda was fond of history and she told us lots of __________________(INTEREST) facts about the town. We also liked the Italian food very much. The waiter in the nearby pizzeria was a boy from Britain, so we never had any problems with __________________(COMMUNICATE). The only __________________(PLEASANT) thing about Venice was the weather. It was unusually cold and windy that week.

Last year my friend Mia and I went on holiday to Thailand. We stayed in a __________________(FAME) resort which is popular with tourists. We were very __________________(LUCK) with the weather and we spent most of our days on the beach. The ocean was __________________(FANTASY) – the water was clear and warm. Thailand is a former French colony and that’s why French is very popular there. Mia was delighted with this fact because she learns French, she wants to be a __________________(TEACH) of French, and she was able to practise the language there. She is also interested in architecture and she found some fine examples of the French colonial style in Thailand. It was an __________________(FORGETTABLE) trip for me too. I am a photographer and I took lots of pictures of people and nature. Several magazines found my photos __________________(INTEREST) enough to publish. I feel very proud of that.