1) Установите соответствие между заголовками 1 — 8 и текстами A — G. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. Multilingual society
2. Useful from roots to leaves
3. The country’s weather extremes
4. Saving the endangered animals
5. Separating state power
6. The most essential thing for life
7. Secret plan
8. Colourful due to diversity
A. The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa and is washed by the Atlantic and the Indian oceans. It is sometimes called the ‘Rainbow Nation’, because there are so many different languages and various cultural traditions. The ‘Rainbow Nation’ includes 38 million black South Africans, 5 million whites, 3.5 million people of mixed race and 1.5 million people of Asian origin. The colours of the rainbow can now be seen in South Africa flag.
B. Unlike most other countries around the world, South Africa has not one but three capital cities. More precisely, the government branches are divided among three major South African cities: Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. When creating the state, it was decided that if the government was in one place, that place could have more influence and political control.
C. In South Africa, there are 11 official languages. So, there are eleven official names for the country, one for each different language. It is interesting to know that most citizens know three or more languages. The majority of the population can speak and understand English which is the language of business, politics and the media in South Africa.
D. Today South Africa maintains its position as a major diamond producer. The largest diamond, Cullinan, was found in 1905. The Government decided to present the diamond to King Edward VII as a birthday present. However, it was a problem to find a safe way to deliver such an expensive diamond to London. It was decided to place a fake diamond on a steamboat to attract those who would be interested in stealing it. The actual diamond was sent to England in a plain box via parcel post, though registered!
E. It is a sad truth but the African rhinos are in danger. Though using rhino horns for medicine has been illegal since 1993, this hasn’t stopped people killing this rare animal simply for the horn. To prevent rhino extinction, their horns are covered with a special toxin that does not harm the animal. But it is designed in such a way that any product (powder, tea or cream) that is made from the poisoned horn will taste bitter or will cause burns. It will also show itself in airport scanners.
F. Baobabs, the largest trees in the world, grow in South Africa. They live up to 5 thousand years and reach a trunk diameter of 25 meters! Baobab is called ‘The Tree of Life’. It provides food, water, and shelter to people, animals, and birds. All the parts of the baobab are used for different purposes. For example, its fruit, called ‘monkey bread’, is edible, and full of vitamin C.
G. South Africa’s special water law was implemented in 1998. Through this law, around four million poor people in the country have been given easy access to clean water. Nowadays South Africa is among the 12 countries in the world that are able to supply its people with tap water that is fit to drink. The quality of its water actually ranks third best in the world.