History of Stonhenge 

19. Stonehenge is perhaps the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. It ____________ (ERECT) in several stages. 

20. The ____________ (ONE) monument was an early henge monument, built about 5,000 years ago. 

21. ____________ (LATE), in the Neolithic period about 2500 BC, there appeared the unique stone circle. Today, together with Avebury, Stonehenge forms the heart of a World Heritage Site, with a unique concentration of prehistoric monuments.  

Before Stonehenge 

22. The ____________ (EARLY) structures known in the immediate area are four or five pits, three of which appear to have held large pine ‘totem-pole like’ posts erected in the Mesolithic period. 

23. It ____________ (NOT KNOW) how these posts relate to the monument of Stonehenge. At this time, when much of the rest of southern England was largely covered by woodland, the chalk downland in the area of Stonehenge may have been an unusually open landscape. 

24. It is possible that this is why it became the site of an early Neolithic monument complex ____________ (DATE) back to the period between 8500 and 7000 BC. 

The Valley of Geysers 

19. This geyser field on the Kamchatka Peninsula is on the list of the Seven Wonders of Russia. It has the _____________ (TWO) largest concentration of geysers in the world (90 in total) and many hot springs.

20. It forms part of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which in turn ____________ (INCLUDE) in the World Heritage Site known as the Volcanoes of Kamchatka.

21. The valley is difficult to reach, with helicopters ______________ (PROVIDE) the only possible means of transport.

The Manpupuner Rock Formations 

22. The unique rock formations are also on the list of the Seven Wonders of Russia. These are a set of seven gigantic, abnormally shaped stone pillars _________ (LOCATE) west of the Ural Mountains in the Komi Republic.

23. They are also known as the Seven Strong ________ (MAN) Rock Formations or Poles of the Komi Republic. According to a local legend, the stone pillars were once Samoyed giants walking through the mountains to Siberia to destroy the Mansi people.

24. However, upon seeing the holy Mansi mountains, the shaman of the giants dropped his drum and the entire team __________ (FREEZE) into the stone pillars.

19.

The Giant Panda

The giant panda, called panda, is the ________ member of the RARE bear family. Pandas live in forests high in the mountains of southwest China, where they survive almost entirely on bamboo.

20.

Pandas eat a lot. They spend about 12 hours a day doing it because they digest only about a ________ of what they eat. Besides, bamboo is not very nutritious.

21.

With its distinctive black and white coat, the giant panda is considered a national treasure of China. This bear also has a special significance for leading global conservation organization because it ________ their logo since 1961.

22.

Embarrassing Incident

I grew up in New-York City, so I had no opportunity of learning to 22 swim. After graduating from high school, I ________ to spend a day with my friend on board his father’s boat in Sheepshead bay.

23.

We had lunch and then started to play Frisbee in the ocean. Suddenly I stepped off an underwater ledge and fell in over my head. I panicked and swallowed some water. Luckily, a lifeguard ended up towing me ten ________ towards the shore where I could just walk out.

24.

I felt embarrassed being the only one of my friends not knowing how to swim. After that incident, I could only swim in pools. Sometimes I wish I ________ swimming as a child.

Harry Potter 

19. ‘Harry Potter’ is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The main storyline __________ (CONCERN) Harry’s quest to overcome the evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort.  

20. Since the release of the first novel ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, the books __________ (GAIN) immense popularity and commercial success worldwide. 

21. The series __________ (TRANSLATE) into 67 languages, including Russian. 

22. By 2010, the first six books __________ (MAKE) into films by Warner Bros.  

23. The films are popular among people of all ages. It is the __________ (HIGH) grossing film series of all time.  

24. The __________ (SEVEN) book was split into two films. Part 1 was released on 19 November 2010 and the series finale was on 15 July 2011. 

The origin of International Day of Human Space Flight

19. On April 12, 1961, the first manned flight into space took place - it was made by Yuri Gagarin. This historic event ________ (PAVE) the way for space exploration.
20. In honor of the __________ (FIFTY) anniversary of human spaceflight, on April 7, 2011, the General Assembly proclaimed April 12 as International Day of Human Space Flight.
21. The sponsors of the relevant resolution expressed their deep conviction that the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes __________ (BENEFIT) all mankind.

Economy of Finland

22. Finland’s economy __________ (BASE) primarily on private ownership and free enterprise; in some sectors, however, the government exercises a monopoly or a leading role. After World War II, Finland was not fully industrialized, and a large portion of the population was still engaged in agriculture, mining, and forestry.
23. During the early postwar decades, primary production gave way to industrial development, which in turn yielded to a service- and information-oriented economy. The economy grew rapidly in the 1980s as the country exploited _________ (IT) strong trading relations with both eastern and western Europe.
24. By the early 1990s, however, Finland was experiencing economic recession, _________ (REFLECT) both the loss of its principal trading partner with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and a general European economic slump. The economy began a slow recovery in the mid-1990s as Finland continued retooling its industry and refocused its trade primarily toward western Europe.