Номер 2, страница 32 - гдз по английскому языку 8 класс (spotlight) тренировочные упражнения в формате огэ (гиа) Ваулина, Подоляко

2. a) Read the text and match the titles to the paragraphs. One title is extra.

1. MODERN VERSIONS

2. THE DAY TO MARK RECORDS

3. THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME

4. A COLLECTION OF RECORDS

5. THE TALENTED BROTHERS

6. THE BEGINNINGS

The Guinness Book of Records

A. Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world. The Guinness Book of Records was first published on 27 August 1955 and in fifty years it sold more than a hundred million copies.

B. On an unknown date in November 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver (1890-1967) was out shooting. That evening it was realised that it was not possible to confirm in reference books whether or not the golden plover (ржанка) was Europe's fastest game bird. It occurred to Sir Hugh, managing director of the Guinness Breweries, that there must be numerous other questions debated in Britain and in Ireland, but there was no reference book with which to settle arguments about records. He realised then that a book supplying the answers to this sort of question might prove popular.

C. On 12 September 1954, Sir Hugh invited the twins Norris and Ross McWhirter to see if their agency in London could help. After founding the Guinness Book of Records at 107 Fleet Street, London, the first 197-page edition came out on 27 August 1955 and went to the top of the British bestseller lists by Christmas. The McWhirters continued to publish it for many years. Both brothers had an encyclopedic memory – on the TV series Record Breakers, based upon the book, they were asked questions by children in the audience on various world records and could usually give the correct answer.

D. Recent editions have focused on record feats (подвиги) by human competitors. Competitions range from obvious ones such as weightlifting to the longest egg tossing distance. Besides records about competitions, the book contains such facts as the most poisonous plant, the shortest river, the longest-running drama in the USA, etc. Many records also relate to the youngest person who achieved something.

E. In 2005, Guinness designated 9 November as International Guinness World Records Day to encourage breaking world records. For many records, Guinness World Records is the effective authority on the exact requirements for them. Guinness World Records sells about 3.5 million copies a year in twenty-three languages in a hundred countries.

b) Read the text again and mark the statements True (T), False (F), Not Stated (NS).

2. a) Read the text and find the answers to the questions. Match questions 1–6 to paragraphs A–E. There is one question with no answer. Complete the table below.

1. How popular is Guinness World Records nowadays?

2. What kinds of records can be found registered in Guinness World Records?

3. Which country has most Guinness World Records?

4. How often is the reference book of Guinness World Records published?

5. How big was the first edition?

6. Who was the inventor of the Guinness Book of World Records?

The Guinness Book of Records

A. Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world. The Guinness Book of Records was first published on 27 August 1955 and in fifty years it sold more than a hundred million copies.

B. On an unknown date in November 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver (1890–1967) was out shooting. That evening it was realised that it was not possible to confirm in reference books whether or not the golden plover (ржанка) was Europe's fastest game bird. It occurred to Sir Hugh, managing director of the Guinness Breweries, that there must be numerous other questions debated in Britain and in Ireland, but there was no reference book with which to settle arguments about records. He realised then that a book supplying the answers to this sort of question might prove popular.

C. On 12 September 1954, Sir Hugh invited the twins Norris and Ross McWhirter to see if their agency in London could help. After founding the Guinness Book of Records at 107 Fleet Street, London, the first 197-page edition came out on 27 August 1955 and went to the top of the British bestseller lists by Christmas. The McWhirters continued to publish it for many years. Both brothers had an encyclopedic memory — on the TV series Record Breakers, based upon the book, they were asked questions by children in the audience on various world records and could usually give the correct answer.

D. Recent editions have focused on records of human competitors. Competitions range from obvious ones such as weightlifting to the longest egg tossing distance. Besides records about competitions, the book contains such facts as the most poisonous plant, the shortest river, the longest-running drama in the USA, etc. Many records also relate to the youngest person who achieved something.

E. In 2005, Guinness designated 9 November as International Guinness World Records Day to encourage breaking world records. For many records, Guinness World Records is the effective authority on the exact requirements for them. Guinness World Records is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is the highest-selling book under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe.

b) Read the text again and mark the statements True (T), False (F), Not Stated (NS).

1. The Guinness Book of Records was named after the famous brewery.

2. The Guinness Book of Records is more than sixty years old.

3. Sir Beaver wanted to publish a reference book of all world birds.

4. Sir Beaver hired a special agency to publish the book of records.

5. The Guinness Book of Records contains only unusual natural phenomena.

6. Not long ago the International Guinness World Records museum was founded.